WO2024218400A1 - Improved expression of surface-displayed antigens - Google Patents
Improved expression of surface-displayed antigens Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2024218400A1 WO2024218400A1 PCT/EP2024/060972 EP2024060972W WO2024218400A1 WO 2024218400 A1 WO2024218400 A1 WO 2024218400A1 EP 2024060972 W EP2024060972 W EP 2024060972W WO 2024218400 A1 WO2024218400 A1 WO 2024218400A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- herv
- isd
- seq
- composition
- mrna
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
- A61K39/12—Viral antigens
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
- A61K2039/51—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising whole cells, viruses or DNA/RNA
- A61K2039/53—DNA (RNA) vaccination
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
- A61K2039/60—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characteristics by the carrier linked to the antigen
- A61K2039/6018—Lipids, e.g. in lipopeptides
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
- C12N2740/00—Reverse transcribing RNA viruses
- C12N2740/00011—Details
- C12N2740/10011—Retroviridae
- C12N2740/10034—Use of virus or viral component as vaccine, e.g. live-attenuated or inactivated virus, VLP, viral protein
Definitions
- One vaccination strategy involves the vaccination with attenuated tumor cells, e.g., irradiated autologous tumors or allogeneic tumor cell lines, often secreting the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
- GM-CSF granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor
- Other vaccination strategies include the administration of peptides or proteins to induce specific immune responses.
- These antigens are either injected directly in combination with an adjuvant, or are encoded by DNA plasmids or viral vectors.
- Endogenous retroviruses are the evidence of ancient infections with retroviruses in distant ancestors. Upon infection, viral RNA was reverse transcribed into parvoviral DNA, which was integrated into the host genome. Eventually, the provirus was integrated into cells of the germ line and became inheritable, giving rise to endogenous retroviruses. Over millions of years the viral DNA was passed down generations and became fixed in the populations. Today, every human genome consists of about 8% endogenous retroviral DNA, but these are just relics of the former retrovirus. Due to mutations, deletions and insertions most of the retroviral genes became inactivated or got completely lost from the genome. Today, no functional, full-length endogenous retrovirus is present in humans anymore.
- ERVs underwent duplication processes leading to the integration of several copies into the host genome with distinct functional proteins.
- the human ERV type K (HERV- K, HML2) is one of the most recently acquired ERVs in the human genome and members of this family remained full-length open reading-frames for almost all viral proteins.
- HERV- K, HML2 human ERV type K
- HML2 human ERV type K
- HERV human ERV
- HERV type K HERV-K
- HERV-H expressed in colorectal cancer and Syncytin-1 in testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lymphomas and leukemia. It is not always easy to determine whether the expression of ERV proteins is a cause or a consequence of the developing tumor. Nevertheless, it is known that conditions within the cancer cell enable expression of ERVs.
- HERV-W expression was detected after influenza and herpes simplex virus infection (Nellaker, C., et al., Transactivation of elements in the human endogenous retrovirus W family by viral infection. Retrovirology, 2006. 3: p. 44) while HERV-K was present after Epstein-Barr virus infection (Sutkowski, N., et al., Epstein-Barr virus transactivates the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K18 that encodes a superantigen. Immunity, 2001. 15(4): p. 579-89).
- cancer cells maintain activation of these proteins by a selection pressure, indicating a beneficial effect of ERVs in tumors (Leong, S.P., et al., Expression and modulation of a retrovirus-associated antigen by murine melanoma cells. Cancer Res, 1988. 48(17): p.4954-8.)
- ERVs a retrovirus-associated antigen by murine melanoma cells. Cancer Res, 1988. 48(17): p.4954-8.
- murine cancer cells express ERVs. This provides a perfect model organism to study effects of ERVs on tumor progression and to test ERV-targeting therapy approaches.
- ERV model is the melanoma associated retrovirus (MelARV), which originates from a provirus of the murine leukemia virus (MuLV) present in the mouse genome.
- MelARV murine leukemia virus
- Most inbred mouse strains contain one or two inactive MuLV copies (Li, M., et al., Sequence and insertion sites of murine melanoma-associated retrovirus. J Virol, 1999. 73(11): p. 9178-86.)
- the AKR mouse strain has three insertions in the genome and is characterized by a high production of MuLV early in life causing frequent incidences of spontaneous lymphomas.
- Other mouse strains like the C57BL/6, spontaneously produce MuLV particles only later in life.
- ERVs contain proteins with immunosuppressive domains (ISD) and such a domain can also be found in the MelARV Env protein (Schlecht-Louf, G., et al., Retroviral infection in vivo requires an immune escape virulence factor encrypted in the envelope protein of oncoretroviruses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2010. 107(8): p. 3782-7 and Mangeney, M. and T. Heidmann, Tumor cells expressing a retroviral envelope escape immune rejection in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1998. 95(25): p. 14920-5.).
- ISD immunosuppressive domains
- the ISD is affecting both the innate and adaptive immune system, as shown by inhibition of macrophages, NK cells and T cells alike (Lang, M.S., et al., Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies directed against the immunosuppressive domain of p15E inhibits tumor growth. Clin Exp Immunol, 1995.102(3): p.468-75). Furthermore, an effect on the regulatory T cell subset has been suggested that in turn suppresses other immune cells (Mangeney, M., et al., Endogenous retrovirus expression is required for murine melanoma tumor growth in vivo. Cancer Res, 2005.65(7): p.2588-91).
- T cells were genetically modified to express on their surface a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that recognizes HERV-K Env on cancer cells.
- CAR chimeric antigen receptor
- the cytotoxic CAR+ T-cells were able to lyse tumor cells and prevented metastases as well as tumor growth.
- a more practical, cheaper and efficient strategy is the induction of immune responses by vaccination.
- a simple approach is the vaccination with virus-encoded antigens.
- VLPs virus-like particles
- a nucleotide comprised by the vaccine.
- VLPs virus-like particles
- these particles do not contain viral nucleic acids and are therefore non-infectious.
- VLPs are highly immunogenic and displayed proteins are presented in a natural context.
- the viral Env protein integrated in VLPs is presented on a virus-like surface, which promotes correct folding and conformation.
- VLPs are relatively easy to produce as they are built from just a single or few proteins and production can be performed in cell cultures.
- Bayer et al. (2010) showed that only the combination of encoded and capsid presented antigens was able to increase the level of functional antibodies. This observation was assigned to the fact that while the presentation on the adenoviral capsid helped to cross-link B cell receptors, encoded antigens were required for an essential CD4+ T cell responses promoting affinity maturation of B cells. With this vaccination strategy Bayer et al. were able to reduce viral load of F-MLV after challenge.
- WO 2011/092199 relates to ISD mutations specifically in the XMRV and to the utilization of such ISD mutated viruses for vaccination strategies.
- ISD mutation was described in the patent application WO 2014/195510. In this case a mutation of the ISD was introduced in the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in order to decrease immunosuppression by the virus while still maintaining its natural conformation.
- FV Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
- WO 2014/195510 describes that specific mutations increased antibody responses against the FIV Env protein when administered in a vaccination approach, bound to MBP or transduced in engrafted tumor cells.
- WO 2014/195510 relates to mutations in the ISD of FIV Env and the use of such mutated proteins in vaccination approaches against infection with FIV or other lentiviruses.
- Another approach, addressing a broader spectrum of ISD mutations in viral Env protein is described in the patent application WO 2013/050048.
- WO 2013/050048 relates to the generation of antigens by first identifying ISDs in enveloped RNA viruses and subsequently mutating these domains to decrease immunosuppression during vaccination.
- the ISD identification strategy is based on 4 parameters which are: 1) the peptide is located in the fusion protein of enveloped RNA viruses, 2) the peptide is capable of interacting with membranes, 3) a high degree of homology in the primary structure (sequence) of the peptide exists either within the Order, Family, Subfamily, Genus, or Species of viruses, 4) the position at the surface of the fusion protein at a given conformation is a feature of immunosuppressive domains, revealed by the 3D structure or antibody staining. After identification of a potential ISD in a viral Env of interest, the immunosuppressive function was validated and subsequently, mutations were introduced in the ISDs and reduction of immunosuppression of at least 25% was confirmed.
- WO 2013/050048 describes the identification of ISDs in enveloped RNA viruses, the generation of ISD mutated peptides, as well as the utilization of said peptides as vaccines and the generation of antibodies.
- ISD mutations mainly aimed at preventing viral infections [Schlecht-Louf et al. 2010; WO 2011/092199; WO 2014/195510; US20110305749; WO 2014/195510]. Therefore, there is still a need to break tolerance to self- antigens. Such breaking of tolerance may be facilitated by densely surface protein coated particles (such as VLPs).
- Dense coating with membrane associated viral glycoproteins is increased with increased cell surface expression prior to incorporation of proteins in virus-like particles budding from the cell surface.
- An additional benefit of robust cell surface expression includes the ability to directly stimulate B cell recognition (see also Ferapontov, A., Omer, M., Baudrexel, I. et al. Antigen footprint governs activation of the B cell receptor. Nat Commun 14, 976 (2023)).
- the system of in situ synthesis of virus-like particles has been used before [Luo et al. (2003); Sohji et al. (2011); Andersson et al. (2016); Andersson & Holst (2016); Andersson et al.
- the present invention aims at producing such an effective vaccine for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease caused by an endogenous retrovirus.
- the composition of the invention comprising the mRNA of the invention provides an improved surface display of the encoded antigens on host cells, incorporation into virus-like-particles and increasing stimulation of the immune system.
- the present invention relates to a composition
- a composition comprising a transfection agent and an mRNA which encodes at least a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) envelope protein or an immunogenic part thereof; wherein said HERV envelope protein comprises an immune-suppressive domain (ISD); wherein the HERV Env protein comprises a mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immunosuppressive property compared to the wildtype ISD and/or allows it to be more efficiently presented on the cell surface.
- the composition comprises lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that comprise said mRNA.
- the present invention relates to the composition of the invention for use as a medicament.
- the present invention relates to the use of the composition for the manufacture of a medicament.
- the present invention relates to the composition for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease, preferably for immunizing a subject against a disease.
- the present invention relates to the use of the composition for the manufacture of a medicament for prophylaxis and/or therapeutic treatment of a disease, preferably for immunizing a subject against a disease.
- the present invention relates to a method of treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease, preferably of immunizing a subject against a disease, comprising administering to the subject (preferably a therapeutically effective amount) of the composition of the invention.
- the disease is preferably selected from the group consisting of cancer, HIV and/or associated disorders, rheumatic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, aging associated diseases, diseases associated with HERV reactivation, diseases associated with HERV reactivation, chronic inflammation multiple sclerosis, ALS associated with TDP-43, Alzheimer’s disease associated with Tau expression, ALS, sarcopenia, kidney diseases and Alzheimer’s disease.
- the present invention relates to the composition according to the invention for use in the prevention or slowing of aging and/or of cellular senescence.
- the present invention relates to the composition according to the invention for use in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or slowing of aging and/or of cellular senescence.
- the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition
- a pharmaceutical composition comprising the composition of the invention, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
- the present invention relates to a DNA molecule encoding the mRNA comprised in the composition of the invention.
- a virus like particle comprising a HERV envelope protein as defined according to the invention described herein.
- an administration may be parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intraarticular, intraarterial, intrasynovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, intralesional, or intracranial injection, as well as any suitable infusion technique), oral, trans- or intra-dermal, interdermal, rectal, intravaginal, topical (e.g., by powders, ointments, creams, gels, lotions, and/or drops), mucosal, nasal, buccal, enteral, vitreal, intratumoral, sublingual, intranasal; by intratracheal instillation, bronchial instillation, and/or inhalation; as an oral spray and/or powder, nasal spray, and/or aerosol, and/or through a portal vein catheter.
- parenteral e.g., subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intraarticular, intraarterial, intrasynov
- Preferred means of administration are intramuscular, intravenous, intradermal or subcutaneous.
- the term “approximately” or “about” refers to a range of values that fall within 25%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1 %, or less in either direction (greater than or less than) of the stated reference value unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident from the context (except where such number would exceed 100% of a possible value).
- “about” may mean +/- 5% of the recited value.
- an LNP including a lipid component having about 40% of a given compound may include 30-50% of the compound.
- Comprise Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integer or step.
- the term “comprising” can be substituted with the term “containing” or “including” or sometimes when used herein with the term “having”.
- Conjugated when used with respect to two or more moieties, means that the moieties are physically associated or connected with one another, either directly or via one or more additional moieties that serves as a linking agent, to form a structure that is sufficiently stable so that the moieties remain physically associated under the conditions in which the structure is used, e.g., physiological conditions.
- two or more moieties may be conjugated by direct covalent chemical bonding.
- two or more moieties may be conjugated by ionic bonding or hydrogen bonding.
- Contacting As used herein, the term “contacting" means establishing a physical connection between two or more entities.
- contacting a cell with an mRNA or a lipid nanoparticle composition means that the cell and mRNA or lipid nanoparticle are made to share a physical connection.
- Methods of contacting cells with external entities both in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo are well known in the biological arts.
- the step of contacting a mammalian cell with a composition is performed in vivo.
- contacting a lipid nanoparticle composition and a cell may be performed by any suitable administration route (e.g., parenteral administration to the organism, including intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal, and subcutaneous administration).
- a composition e.g., a transfection agent, e.g. a lipid nanoparticle
- a cell may be contacted, for example, by adding the composition to the culture medium of the cell and may involve or result in transfection.
- more than one cell may be contacted by a transfection agent or a nanoparticle composition.
- Delivering means providing an entity to a destination.
- delivering a therapeutic and/or prophylactic to a subject may involve administering a composition including the therapeutic and/or prophylactic to the subject (e.g., by an intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal, or subcutaneous route).
- Administration of a composition to a mammal or mammalian cell may involve contacting one or more cells with the composition.
- Encapsulate As used herein, the term “encapsulate” means to enclose, surround, or encase.
- a compound, polynucleotide e.g., an mRNA
- a compound, polynucleotide e.g., an mRNA
- an mRNA of the disclosure may be encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle, e.g., a liposome.
- Effective amount The "effective amount" of an agent is that amount sufficient to effect beneficial or desired results, for example, clinical results, and, as such, an "effective amount" depends upon the context in which it is being applied.
- an effective amount of a target cell delivery potentiating lipid is an amount sufficient to effect a beneficial or desired result as compared to a lipid composition (e.g., LNP) lacking the target cell delivery potentiating lipid.
- beneficial or desired results effected by the lipid composition include increasing the percentage of cells transfected and/or increasing the level of expression of a protein encoded by a nucleic acid associated with/encapsulated by the lipid composition (e.g., LNP).
- an effective amount of target cell delivery potentiating lipid-containing LNP is an amount sufficient to effect a beneficial or desired result as compared to an LNP lacking the target cell delivery potentiating lipid.
- Non-limiting examples of beneficial or desired results in the subject include increasing the percentage of cells transfected, increasing the level of expression of a protein encoded by a nucleic acid associated with/encapsulated by the target cell delivery potentiating lipid-containing LNP and/or increasing a prophylactic or therapeutic effect in vivo of a nucleic acid, or its encoded protein, associated with/encapsulated by the target cell delivery potentiating lipid containing LNP, as compared to an LNP lacking the target cell delivery potentiating lipid.
- a therapeutically effective amount of target cell delivery potentiating lipid containing LNP is sufficient, when administered to a subject suffering from or susceptible to an infection, disease, disorder, and/or condition, to treat, improve symptoms of, diagnose, prevent, and/or delay the onset of the infection, disease, disorder, and/or condition.
- an effective amount of a lipid nanoparticle is sufficient to result in expression of a desired protein in at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% or more of target cells.
- an effective amount of target cell delivery potentiating lipid- containing LNP can be an amount that results in transfection of at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 3 0%, or 35% of target cells after a single intravenous injection.
- expression of a nucleic acid sequence refers to one or more of the following events: (1) production of an RNA template from a DNA sequence (e.g., by transcription); (2) processing of an RNA transcript (e.g., by splicing, editing, 5' cap formation, and/or 3' end processing); (3) translation of an RNA into a polypeptide or protein; and (4) post-translational modification of a polypeptide or protein.
- Ex vivo As used herein, the term “ex vivo” refers to events that occur outside of an organism (e.g., animal, plant, or microbe or cell or tissue thereof).
- fragments of proteins may include polypeptides obtained by digesting full-length protein isolated from cultured cells or obtained through recombinant DNA techniques.
- a fragment of a protein can be, for example, a portion of a protein that includes one or more functional domains such that the fragment of the protein retains the functional activity of the protein.
- Isolated refers to a substance or entity that has been separated from at least some of the components with which it was associated (whether in nature or in an experimental setting).
- Isolated substances may have varying levels of purity in reference to the substances from which they have been associated. Isolated substances and/or entities may be separated from at least about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or more of the other components with which they were initially associated. In some embodiments, isolated agents are more than about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, or more than about 99% pure. As used herein, a substance is "pure" if it is substantially free of other components.
- Kozak sequence refers to a translation initiation enhancer element to enhance expression of a gene or open reading frame, and which in eukaryotes, is located in the 5' UTR.
- Polynucleotides disclosed herein comprise a Kozak consensus sequence, or a derivative or modification thereof.
- Metastasis means the process by which cancer spreads from the place at which it first arose as a primary tumor to distant locations in the body.
- modified refers to a changed state or a change in composition or structure of a molecule of the disclosure (e.g., polynucleotide, e.g., mRNA). Molecules (e.g., polynucleotides) may be modified in various ways including chemically, structurally, and/or functionally.
- polynucleotides may be structurally modified by the incorporation of one or more RNA elements, wherein the RNA element comprises a sequence and/or an RNA secondary structure(s) that provides one or more functions (e.g., translational regulatory activity).
- RNA element comprises a sequence and/or an RNA secondary structure(s) that provides one or more functions (e.g., translational regulatory activity).
- polynucleotides of the disclosure may be comprised of one or more modifications (e.g., may include one or more chemical, structural, or functional modifications, including any combination thereof).
- mRNA molecules of the present disclosure are modified by the introduction of non- natural nucleosides and/or nucleotides, e.g., as it relates to the natural ribonucleotides A, U, G, and C.
- Noncanonical nucleotides such as the cap structures are not considered “modified” although they differ from the chemical structure of the A, C, G, U ribonucleotides.
- mRNA refers to a messenger ribonucleic acid.
- An mRNA may be naturally or non-naturally occurring.
- an mRNA may include modified and/or non- naturally occurring components such as one or more nucleobases, nucleosides, nucleotides, or linkers.
- An mRNA may include a cap structure, a chain terminating nucleoside, a stem loop, a poly-A sequence, and/or a polyadenylation signal.
- An mRNA may have a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide.
- An mRNA may also have a nucleotide sequence encoding multiple (for example at least two or at least three) different polypeptides.
- Translation of an mRNA for example, in vivo translation of an mRNA inside a mammalian cell, may produce a polypeptide.
- the basic components of an mRNA molecule include at least a coding region, a 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR), a 3'UTR, a 5' cap and a poly-A sequence.
- Nanoparticle refers to a particle having any one structural feature on a scale of less than about 1000 nm that exhibits novel properties as compared to a bulk sample of the same material. Routinely, nanoparticles have any one structural feature on a scale of less than about 500 nm, less than about 200 nm, or about l00 nm.
- nanoparticles have any one structural feature on a scale of from about 50 nm to about 500 nm, from about 50 nm to about 200 nm or from about 70 to about 120 nm.
- a nanoparticle is a particle having one or more dimensions of the order of about l-l000 nm.
- a nanoparticle is a particle having one or more dimensions of the order of about l0-500 nm.
- a nanoparticle is a particle having one or more dimensions of the order of about 50-200 nm.
- a spherical nanoparticle would have a diameter, for example, of between about 50-100 or 70-120 nanometers.
- Nanoparticle most often behaves as a unit in terms of its transport and properties. It is noted that novel properties that differentiate nanoparticles from the corresponding bulk material typically develop at a size scale of under l000 nm, or at a size of about 100 nm, but nanoparticles can be of a larger size, for example, for particles that are oblong, tubular, and the like. Although the size of most molecules would fit into the above outline, individual molecules are usually not referred to as nanoparticles.
- Nucleic acid As used herein, the term “nucleic acid” is used in its broadest sense and encompasses any compound and/or substance that includes a polymer of nucleotides, unless specified otherwise.
- polymers are often referred to as polynucleotides.
- Comprised is also a chemical derivatization of a nucleic acid on a nucleotide base, on the sugar or on the phosphate, and nucleic acids containing non-natural nucleotides and nucleotide analogs.
- nucleic acids or polynucleotides of the disclosure include, but are not limited to, ribonucleic acids (RNAs), deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs), DNA-RNA hybrids, RNAi-inducing agents, RNAi agents, siRNAs, shRNAs, miRNAs, antisense RNAs, ribozymes, catalytic DNA, RNAs that induce triple helix formation, threose nucleic acids (TNAs), glycol nucleic acids (GNAs), peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), locked nucleic acids (LN As, including LNA having a ß-D-ribo configuration, a-LNA having an a-L-ribo configuration (a diastereomer of LNA), 2'-amino-LNA having a 2'-amino functionalization, and 2'-amino-a-LNA having a 2'-amino functionalization) or hybrids thereof.
- RNAs ribon
- nucleobase refers to a purine or pyrimidine heterocyclic compound found in nucleic acids, including any derivatives or analogs of the naturally occurring purines and pyrimidines that confer improved properties (e.g., binding affinity, nuclease resistance, chemical stability) to a nucleic acid or a portion or segment thereof.
- Adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, and uracil are the nucleobases predominately found in natural nucleic acids.
- nucleoside/Nucleotide refers to a compound containing a sugar molecule (e.g., a ribose in RNA or a deoxyribose in DNA), or derivative or analog thereof, covalently linked to a nucleobase (e.g., a purine or pyrimidine), or a derivative or analog thereof (also referred to herein as "nucleobase”), but lacking an internucleoside linking group (e.g., a phosphate group).
- a sugar molecule e.g., a ribose in RNA or a deoxyribose in DNA
- a nucleobase e.g., a purine or pyrimidine
- an internucleoside linking group e.g., a phosphate group
- nucleotide refers to a nucleoside covalently bonded to an internucleoside linking group (e.g., a phosphate group), or any derivative, analog, or modification thereof that confers improved chemical and/or functional properties (e.g., binding affinity, nuclease resistance, chemical stability) to a nucleic acid or a portion or segment thereof.
- Open Reading Frame As used herein, the term “open reading frame”, abbreviated as “ORF”, refers to a segment or region of an mRNA molecule that encodes a polypeptide.
- the ORF comprises a continuous stretch of non-overlapping, in-frame codons, beginning with the initiation codon and ending with a stop codon, and is translated by the ribosome.
- patient refers to a subject who may seek or need treatment, requires treatment, is receiving treatment, will receive treatment, or a subject who is under care by a trained professional for a particular disease or condition.
- a patient is a human patient.
- a patient is a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease, e.g., as described herein.
- pharmaceutically acceptable is employed herein to refer to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.
- pharmaceutically acceptable excipient refers any ingredient other than the compounds described herein (for example, a vehicle capable of suspending or dissolving the active compound) and having the properties of being substantially nontoxic and non-inflammatory in a patient.
- Excipients may include, for example: antiadherents, antioxidants, binders, coatings, compression aids, disintegrants, dyes (colors), emollients, emulsifiers, fillers (diluents), film formers or coatings, flavors, fragrances, glidants (flow enhancers), lubricants, preservatives, printing inks, sorbents, suspensing or dispersing agents, sweeteners, and waters of hydration.
- antiadherents antioxidants, binders, coatings, compression aids, disintegrants, dyes (colors), emollients, emulsifiers, fillers (diluents), film formers or coatings, flavors, fragrances, glidants (flow enhancers), lubricants, preservatives, printing inks, sorbents, suspensing or dispersing agents, sweeteners, and waters of hydration.
- excipients include, but are not limited to: butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate (dibasic), calcium stearate, croscarmellose, crosslinked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, citric acid, crospovidone, cysteine, ethyl cellulose, gelatin, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, maltitol, mannitol, methionine, methylcellulose, methyl paraben, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, povidone, pregelatinized starch, propyl paraben, retinyl palmitate, shellac, silicon dioxide, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium citrate, sodium starch glycolate, sorbitol, starch (corn), stearic acid, sucrose, talc, titanium dioxide, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C
- pharmaceutically acceptable salts refers to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound is modified by converting an existing acid or base moiety to its salt form (e.g., by reacting the free base group with a suitable organic acid).
- suitable organic acid examples include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as amines; alkali or organic salts of acidic residues such as carboxylic acids; and the like.
- Representative acid addition salts include acetate, acetic acid, adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzene sulfonic acid, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphor sulfonate, citrate, cyclopentane propionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptonate, hexanoate, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, ole
- alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like, as well as nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations, including, but not limited to ammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, ethylamine, and the like.
- the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present disclosure include the conventional non-toxic salts of the parent compound formed, for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids.
- the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present disclosure can be synthesized from the parent compound which contains a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods.
- such salts can be prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two; generally, nonaqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile are preferred. Lists of suitable salts are found in Remington 's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 1418, Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection, and Use, P.H. Stahl and C.G.
- Polyadenyl/poly-A tail/sequence refers to an RNA molecule’s sequence of adenyl residues typically located at the 3' end. Such a sequence may be attached during RNA transcription.
- a poly-A sequence is usually attached to the free 3' end of the RNA by a template independent RNA polymerase after transcription in the nucleus.
- a poly-A may be attached by transcription from a DNA template containing complementary repeated thymidyl residues.
- the mRNA as described herein may comprise a polyadenylation signal, which is defined herein as a signal, which conveys polyadenylation to a (transcribed) RNA by specific protein factors.
- the poly-A sequence is important for the nuclear export, translation, and stability of mRNA and is shortened over time, and eventually leading to enzymatic mRNA degradation
- Polypeptide As used herein, the term "polypeptide” or “polypeptide of interest” refers to a polymer of amino acid residues typically joined by peptide bonds that can be produced naturally (e.g., isolated or purified) or synthetically.
- Prevent/preventing refers to partially or completely inhibiting the onset of one or more symptoms or features of a particular infection, disease, disorder, and/or condition.
- Prophylaxis As used herein, the term “prophylaxis” refers to partially or completely inhibiting the onset of one or more symptoms or features of a particular infection, disease, disorder, and/or condition. “Prophylactic” is also used in that sense.
- RNA As used herein, an "RNA” refers to a ribonucleic acid that may be naturally or non-naturally occurring.
- an RNA may include modified and/or non-naturally occurring components such as one or more nucleobases, nucleosides, nucleotides, or linkers.
- An RNA may include a cap structure, a chain terminating nucleoside, a stem loop, a poly-A sequence, and/or a polyadenylation signal.
- An RNA may have a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of interest.
- an RNA may be a messenger RNA (mRNA). Translation of an mRNA encoding a particular polypeptide, for example, in vivo translation of an mRNA inside a mammalian cell, may produce the encoded polypeptide.
- mRNA messenger RNA
- RNA element refers to a portion, fragment, or segment of an RNA molecule that provides a biological function and/or has biological activity (e.g., translational regulatory activity). Modification of a polynucleotide by the incorporation of one or more RNA elements, such as those described herein, provides one or more desirable functional properties to the modified polynucleotide.
- RNA elements, as described herein can be naturally-occurring, non- naturally occurring, synthetic, engineered, or any combination thereof.
- naturally- occurring RNA elements that provide a regulatory activity include elements found throughout the transcriptomes of viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms (e.g., humans).
- RNA elements in particular eukaryotic mRNAs and translated viral RNAs have been shown to be involved in mediating many functions in cells.
- exemplary natural RNA elements include, but are not limited to, translation initiation elements (e.g., internal ribosome entry site (IRES), see Kieft et al., (2001) RNA 7(2): 194- 206), translation enhancer elements (e.g., the APP mRNA translation enhancer element, see Rogers et al., (1999) J Biol Chem 274(10):6421-6431), mRNA stability elements (e.g., AU-rich elements (AREs), see Garneau et al., (2007) Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 8(2): 113-126), translational repression element (see e.g., Blumer et al., (2002) Mech Dev 110(1-2):97-112), protein-binding RNA elements (e.g., iron-responsive element, see Selezneva et
- sequence should generally be understood to include both the relevant amino acid sequence as well as nucleic acids or nucleotide sequences encoding the same, unless the context requires a more limited interpretation.
- Amino acid sequences are interpreted to mean a single amino acid or an unbranched sequence of two or more amino acids, depending of the context.
- Nucleotide sequences are interpreted to mean an unbranched sequence of 3 or more nucleotides.
- the term “specific delivery”, “specifically deliver,” or “specifically delivering” means delivery of more (e.g., at least 10% more, at least 20% more, at least 30% more, at least 40% more, at least 50% more, at least 1.5 fold more, at least 2-fold more, at least 3-fold more, at least 4-fold more, at least 5-fold more, at least 6-fold more, at least 7-fold more, at least 8-fold more, at least 9-fold more, at least 10-fold more) of a therapeutic and/or prophylactic by a nanoparticle to a target cell of interest (e.g., mammalian target cell) compared to an off-target cell (e.g., non-target cells).
- a target cell of interest e.g., mammalian target cell
- an off-target cell e.g., non-target cells
- the level of delivery of a nanoparticle to a particular cell may be measured by comparing the amount of protein produced in target cells versus non-target cells (e.g., by mean fluorescence intensity using flow cytometry, comparing the fraction (%) of target cells versus non-target cells expressing the protein (e.g., by quantitative flow cytometry), comparing the amount of protein produced in a target cell versus non-target cell to the amount of total protein in said target cells versus non-target cell thread or comparing the amount of therapeutic and/or prophylactic in a target cell versus non-target cell to the amount of total therapeutic and/or prophylactic in said target cell versus non-target cell.
- a nanoparticle to specifically deliver to a target cell need not be determined in a subject being treated, it may be determined in a surrogate such as an animal model (e.g., a mouse or NHP model).
- a surrogate such as an animal model (e.g., a mouse or NHP model).
- a disease, disorder, and/or condition Suffering from: An individual who is "suffering from” a disease, disorder, and/or condition has been diagnosed with or displays one or more symptoms of a disease, disorder, and/or condition.
- Therapeutic agent refers to any agent that, when administered to a subject, has a therapeutic, diagnostic, and/or prophylactic effect and/or elicits a desired biological and/or pharmacological effect.
- Transfection refers to methods to introduce a species (e.g., a polynucleotide, such as a mRNA) into a cell.
- Subject refers to any organism to which a composition in accordance with the disclosure may be administered, e.g., for experimental, diagnostic, prophylactic, and/or therapeutic purposes. Typical subjects include animals (e.g., mammals such as mice, rats, rabbits, non-human primates, and humans) and/or plants. In some embodiments, a subject may be a patient. Treating: As used herein, the term “treating” refers to partially or completely alleviating, ameliorating, improving, relieving, delaying onset of, inhibiting progression of, reducing severity of, and/or reducing incidence of one or more symptoms or features of a particular infection, disease, disorder, and/or condition.
- treating cancer may refer to inhibiting survival, growth, and/or spread of a tumor.
- Treatment may be administered to a subject who does not exhibit signs of a disease, disorder, and/or condition and/or to a subject who exhibits only early signs of a disease, disorder, and/or condition for the purpose of decreasing the risk of developing pathology associated with the disease, disorder, and/or condition.
- Unmodified refers to any substance, compound or molecule prior to being changed in any way. Unmodified may, but does not always, refer to the wild type or native form of a biomolecule. Molecules may undergo a series of modifications whereby each modified molecule may serve as the "unmodified" starting molecule for a subsequent modification.
- variant refers to a molecule having at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% activity of the wild type molecule, e.g., as measured by an art-recognized assay.
- Wild type/WT “Wild type” (or “WT”) refers to the genotype or phenotype of the natural form of a feature or sequence, i.e. the original form of a feature or the unmutated form of a sequence. In particular when mentioned in the context of an immune suppressive domain (ISD), this wild type ISD is active, i.e. it suppresses an immune response.
- ISD immune suppressive domain
- Percentage identity or % identity refers to a percentage of nucleotides or amino acids, which are identical in an optimal alignment between two nucleotide or amino acid sequences to be compared. Comparisons of two sequences usually requires a step of optimal alignment, which may be carried out manually or with the aid of the local homology algorithm by Smith and Waterman, 1981, Ads App. Math.2, 482, with the aid of the local homology algorithm by Neddleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol.48, 443, and with the aid of the similarity search algorithm by Pearson and Lipman, 1988, Proc. Natl Acad. Sei.
- BLAST 2 sequences is an exemplary tool to perform this calculation, available on the website http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/blast/bl2seq/wblast2.cgi. 5’/3’ untranslated regions/UTRs:
- “3'” or “3’ end” of a nucleic acid is that end which has a free hydroxy group and "5'“ or “5’ end” end of a nucleic acid” that end which has a free phosphate group.
- UTRs In a diagrammatic representation of double-stranded nucleic acids, the 3 ' end is right-hand and the 5 ' end is on the left-hand side: 5 ' end 5'--P-NNNNNNN-OH--3' 3' end 3'--HO-NNNNNNN-P--5' “Untranslated regions” or “UTRs”, as used herein, refers to either of two sections, one on each side of a coding sequence of mRNA, which are not part of the protein coding region. On the 5' end the UTR is called 5' UTR (or leader sequence), on the 3' side the UTR is called 3' UTR (or trailer sequence). The UTRs may contain RNA elements regulating translation and/or transcription, as described elsewhere herein.
- the 5’ UTR facilitates translation initiation by allowing the ribosome to bind to the sequence and the 3’ UTR is for instance known to be involved in translation termination as well as post-transcriptional modification.
- LNPs comprising HERV envelope protein
- the present invention relates to a composition comprising a transfection agent and an mRNA which encodes at least a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) envelope protein or an immunogenic part thereof; wherein said HERV envelope protein comprises an immune-suppressive domain (ISD); wherein the HERV Env protein comprises a mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immune-suppressive property compared to the wildtype ISD.
- HERV human endogenous retrovirus
- the invention may relate to the composition of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
- Transfection agents of the composition may for instance be any compounds, formulations or mixtures that enhance transport or uptake of a nucleic acid into cells, including cells of different tissues. These agents can increase the uptake of the amount of a nucleic acid, when applied in an effective amount, as defined elsewhere herein. Such effect is caused by one or more substances comprised by the transfection reagent promoting said uptake.
- the protein or peptide encoded by the introduced nucleic acid can then modulate, evoke or be integrated in cellular processes of the target cell.
- Transfection agent compositions may for instance be composed adjusted for the targeted cell type and/or the substance to be delivered, as well as depending on other parameters such as the delivery environment, i.e. in vivo or in vitro.
- Suitable transfection agents comprise a range of different uptake promoting substances selected from the non-limiting group consisting of: calcium phosphate; cationic polymers, such as DEAE-dextran or polyethylenimine (PEI); liposome forming substances or mixtures thereof, such as cationic lipids like 2,3 ⁇ dioleoyloxy ⁇ N ⁇ [2(sperminecarboxamido)ethyl] ⁇ N,N ⁇ dimethyl ⁇ 1 ⁇ propaniminium-trifluoroacetate (DOSPA), Dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTMA) or dioleoyloxypropyl- trimethylammonium (DOTAP), and/or helper lipids like dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), cholesterol
- the transfection agent is a transfection agent that comprises a cationic lipid and/or a cationic polymer.
- the composition comprises liposomes that comprise a cationic lipid and the mRNA of the invention.
- the transfection agent comprises DOSPA (2,3 ⁇ dioleoyloxy ⁇ N ⁇ [2(sperminecarboxamido)ethyl] ⁇ N,N ⁇ dimethyl ⁇ 1 ⁇ propaniminium trifluoroacetate) and/or DOPE (1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycerophosphoethanolamine).
- the transfection agent comprises DOSPA (2,3 ⁇ dioleoyloxy ⁇ N ⁇ [2(sperminecarboxamido)ethyl] ⁇ N,N ⁇ dimethyl ⁇ 1 ⁇ propaniminium trifluoroacetate) and DOPE (1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycerophosphoethanolamine), preferably in a molar ratio of 3:1.
- DOSPA 2,3 ⁇ dioleoyloxy ⁇ N ⁇ [2(sperminecarboxamido)ethyl] ⁇ N,N ⁇ dimethyl ⁇ 1 ⁇ propaniminium trifluoroacetate
- DOPE 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycerophosphoethanolamine
- Such a suitable composition may be a composition of lipids with beneficial properties in vivo, for instance a Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) composition.
- LNPs increase circulation time in the body and effectively help to deliver antigen encoding nucleotide sequences, e.g. mRNA, to the target site and have thus emerged as a suitable non-viral encapsulating delivery vehicle for exogenous mRNA.
- the composition comprises lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that comprise the mRNA of the invention.
- LNPs include various lipid-based platforms such as liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs).
- the LNP composition is selected from a liposome composition, nanostructured lipid carrier (NLCs) composition and solid lipid nanoparticle (SLNs) composition.
- NLCs nanostructured lipid carrier
- SPNs solid lipid nanoparticle
- the composition comprising an mRNA and a transfection agent as described herein may benefit from the use of LNP as a transfection agent, since it has been observed that formulation in LNPs can reduce adverse responses.
- LNPs are used that comprise lipids known to exhibit a reduced Toll-Like-Receptor (TLR) agonism.
- TLR Toll-Like-Receptor
- TLR signaling plays a key role in triggering RNA vaccine-associated innate signaling and the triggering effect is believed to be amplifiable by certain lipids used in vaccine formulations, which reduce TLR signaling (Tahtinen, S., Tong, AJ., Himmels, P. et al. IL-1 and IL-1ra are key regulators of the inflammatory response to RNA vaccines. Nat Immunol 23, 532–542 (2022)). Without wishing to be bound by theory it is predicted that the use of such lipids will increase immunogenicity, leading to a potent innate immune response to the mRNA encoded antigen. Preferred examples include LNPs comprising ionizable lipids.
- LNP compositions comprising the following lipids: DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3), 9-Heptadecanyl 8- ⁇ (2-hydroxyethyl) [6-oxo-6- (undecyloxy)hexyl] amino ⁇ octanoate (SM-102), (4-hydroxybutyl) azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1- diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (ALC-0315), any of the lipids H, M, P, Q, and N in Hasset et al. (2019) (Optimization of Lipid Nanoparticles for Intramuscular Administration of mRNA Vaccines.
- MC3-DMA DLin-MC3-DMA
- SM-102 9-Heptadecanyl 8- ⁇ (2-hydroxyethyl) [6-oxo-6- (undecyloxy)hexyl] amino ⁇ octanoate
- DOTMA 1,2-di-O-octadecenyl-3-trimethylammonium propane
- DOPE 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-3phosphoethanolamine
- LNP composition comprises at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of (4-hydroxybutyl) azanediyl)bis (hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (ALC- 0315), 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N ditetradecylacetamide (ALC-0159), 1,2-Distearoyl-sn- glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) and Cholesterol.
- an LNP comprises all of the lipids ALC-0315, ALC-0159, DSPC and Cholesterol.
- these lipids are used in a ratio of ALC-0315 : ALC-0159 : DSPC : Cholesterol of 46.3 : 9.4 : 42.7 : 1.6.
- Further aspects (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the invention provide the following: (i) an LNP comprising an mRNA of the invention; (ii) a liposome comprising an mRNA of the invention; (iii) a polyplex comprising an mRNA of the invention; (iv) a lipoplex comprising an mRNA of the invention.
- VLP virus like particle
- the envelope protein comprises a mutated ISD with a mutation selected from the group consisting of L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, I526A, N527A, D528A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A, V533A, I534A and W535A, preferably wherein the mutated ISD comprises a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NO:s 4 or 8-20 (most preferably said mutated ISD comprises or consists of sequence LANAINDLRQTVIW (SEQ ID NO: 4)) and wherein the HERV envelope protein further comprises the amino acid sequence: G C L M P A V Q N W L 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 V E V P T V S P I S 18
- RNA content for encapsulation is achieved by combining the RNA with lipids at an acidic pH at which an ionizable lipid is positively charged, thus ensuring a charge-driven interaction with the negatively charged nucleic acid. Later, pH is adjusted above the ionizable lipid’s pKa resulting in approximately neutral surface charge which is suitable for clinical administration.
- suitable components of LNP compositions for the delivery of nucleic acids, such as mRNAs are known in the art and will be clear to a skilled person. More general information and a multitude of examples concerning lipid nanoparticle formulations are provided by the art, for instance in publications by Barba et al.
- the LNP composition may comprise one or more ionizable lipids.
- the one or more ionizable lipids may preferably comprise cationic lipids.
- cationic means that the respective structure bears a positive charge, either permanently, or not permanently but in response to certain conditions such as pH.
- cationic covers both “permanently cationic” and “cationisable”.
- Suitable cationic lipids of the composition of the present invention are known in the art, and may for instance advantageously be selected from the non-limiting group consisting of N,N-dioleyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride (DODAC), N-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl)N, N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA); N,N- distearyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide (DDAB); N-(2,3dioleoyloxy)propyl)- N,N,N- trimethylammonium chloride (DOTAP); 3-(N-(N' ,N'dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl) cholesterol (DC-Chol), N-(1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl)N-2-(sperminecarboxamido)ethyl)-N,N- dimethylammonium trifluoracetate (DOSPA),
- suitable cationic lipids of the composition of the present invention may for instance be selected from the non-limiting group of commercial preparations of cationic lipids consisting of LIPOFECTIN® (commercially available cationic liposomes comprising DOTMA and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-3phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), from GIBCO/BRL, Grand Island, N.Y.); LIPOFECTAMINE® (commercially available cationic liposomes comprising N-(1- (2,3dioleyloxy)propyl)-N-(2-(sperminecarboxamido)ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium trifluoroacetate (DOSPA) and DOPE, from GIBCO/BRL); and TRANSFECTAM® (commercially available cationic lipids comprising dioctadecylamidoglycyl carboxyspermine (DOGS) in ethanol from Promega Corp., Madison, Wis.).
- the ionizable lipids of the disclosure may comprise a central amine moiety and at least one biodegradable group.
- the ionizable lipid may be an ionizable cationic amino lipid.
- the lipid-based composition (e.g., LNP) described herein comprises one or more non-cationic helper lipids.
- non-cationic helper lipid refers to a lipid comprising at least one fatty acid chain of at least 8 carbons in length and at least one polar head group moiety.
- the non-cationic helper lipid may be a phospholipid.
- phospholipids comprise a phospholipid moiety and one or more fatty acid moieties.
- a phospholipid moiety may be selected, for example, from the non-limiting group consisting of phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidic acid, 2- lysophosphatidyl choline, and a sphingomyelin.
- a fatty acid moiety may be selected, for example, from the non-limiting group consisting of lauric acid, myristic acid, myristoleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, erucic acid, phytanoic acid, arachidic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, behenic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid.
- Phospholipids include, but are not limited to, glycerophospholipids such as phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylserines, phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidy glycerols, and phosphatidic acids. Phospholipids also include phosphosphingolipids, such as sphingomyelin. In a preferred embodiment, the helper lipid or phospholipid may be neutral.
- the LNP composition may, for instance, also comprise a DSPC analog, a DSPC substitute, oleic acid, or an oleic acid analog, a non-phosphatidyl choline (PC) zwitterionic lipid, a DSPC analog, oleic acid, an oleic acid analog, or a 1,2-distearoyl-i77-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) substitute.
- the helper lipid or phospholipid of the LNP composition may be DSPC.
- the lipid-based composition e.g., LNP
- the lipid-based composition may comprise one or more structural lipids.
- the structural lipid may be a sterol.
- Such sterols may include cholesterol, ß-sitosterol, sitostanol, camesterol, stigmasterol, and brassicasterol. In an even more preferred embodiment said sterol may preferably be cholesterol.
- the LNP composition may comprise another lipid, which is a phospholipid substitute or replacement.
- the phospholipid or phospholipid substitute or replacement may be, for example, one or more saturated or (poly)unsaturated phospholipids, or phospholipid substitutes, or a combination thereof.
- such a phospholipid substitute or replacement may be a pegylated or PEG lipid. The incorporation of a pegylated lipid leads for instance to steric stabilization of the nanoparticle core shell.
- Non-limiting examples of PEG-lipids include PEG- modified phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid, PEG-ceramide conjugates (e.g., PEG- CerC14 or PEG-CerC20), PEG-modified dialkylamines and PEG-modified 1,2-diacyloxypropan-3- amines. Such lipids are also referred to as PEGylated lipids.
- the PEG-lipid includes, but is not limited to, PEG-disteryl glycerol (PEG-DSG), or PEG-1,2- dimyristyloxlpropyl- 3-amine (PEG-c-DMA), 1,2-dimyristoyl-snglycerol methoxypolyethylene glycol (PEG-DMG), PEG- dipalmetoleyl, PEG-dioleyl, PEG-distearyl, PEG-diacylglycamide (PEG-DAG), PEG-DLPE, PEG- DMPE, PEG-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine or -choline (PEG-DPPE, PEG-DPPC), 1,2- distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-amino polyethyleneglycol (PEG-DSPE) lipid.
- PEG-DSG PEG-disteryl glycerol
- PEG-c-DMA PEG
- the LNP composition may comprise PEG-DMG.
- the LNP composition comprises at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of (i) an ionizable lipid, preferably an ionizable cationic lipid, more preferably an ionizable cationic amino lipid; (ii) a non-cationic helper lipid or phospholipid, wherein the lipid is preferably neutral, more preferably wherein the lipid is DSPC; (iii) a sterol or other structural lipid, wherein the sterol is preferably cholesterol; and (iv) a PEG lipid, preferably PEG-DMG.
- the lipid components of the LNP composition may be used in suitable molar ratios with respect to the other lipids.
- the amount of ionizable lipid, preferably cationic lipid, preferably cationic amino- lipid, may range for instance from about 45 mol % to about 50 mol %.
- the amount of non-cationic helper lipid or phospholipid, preferably a neutral lipid, preferably DSPC, may for instance range from about 5 mol % to about 15 mol %.
- the amount of structural lipid, such as sterol, preferably cholesterol may for instance range from about 30 mol % to about 45 mol %.
- the amount of PEG-lipid in the lipid composition of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may range for instance from about 0.1 mol % to about 5 mol %.
- the transfection agent is a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) composition
- the LNP composition comprises a molar ratio of about 45 mol % to about 50 mol % ionizable lipid, about 5 mol % to about 15 mol % phospholipid, about 30 mol % to about 45 mol % sterol, and about 1 mol % to about 5 mol % PEG lipid.
- the LNP may for instance comprise a molar ratio of 50 mol % ionizable lipid, 10 mol % phospholipid, 38.5 mol % sterol, and 1.5 mol % PEG lipid.
- the LNP may for instance comprise a molar ratio of 46.3 mol % ionizable lipid, 9.4 mol % phospholipid, 42.7 mol % sterol, and 1.6 mol % PEG lipid.
- the lipid nanoparticle composition may comprise a targeting moiety, which is a compound or agent that may target nanoparticles to a particular cell, tissue, and/or organ type.
- the lipid nanoparticle composition comprising a targeting moiety has the ability to specifically deliver to a particular target cell, tissue, and/or organ type. It may be desired or useful to further increase the efficacy or potency of the composition of the invention, particularly for instance when the composition comprising the RNA of the invention is applied to a subject or patient for prophylaxis or treatment.
- the composition of the invention further comprises an adjuvant.
- the adjuvant may be a cytokine and more preferably a cytokine selected from the group consisting of INF ⁇ , IL-2, IL-12, GM- CSF, IL-15, and IL-7.
- the adjuvant may also be introduced as a polynucleotide configured to express one or more of the aforementioned cytokines in eukaryotic cells.
- Adjuvants may act by a combination of various mechanisms to elicit and boost immune responses, including one or more of: a sustained release of antigen at the site of injection (depot effect), an up- regulation of (further) cytokines and chemokines, cellular recruitment at the site of administration of the composition, an increased antigen uptake and presentation to antigen presenting cells (APCs), an activation and maturation of APCs, increased expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and co-stimulatory molecules, promoting antigen transport to draining lymph nodes and activation of the inflammasome.
- APCs antigen uptake and presentation to antigen presenting cells
- MHC major histocompatibility complex
- the mRNA comprised by the composition of the invention comprises at least 300 nucleotides, such as preferably at least 400, 500, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, more preferably at least 3000 or most preferably at least 4000 nucleotides.
- Modifying mRNA elements such as the 5′ cap, 5′-and 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs), the coding region, and polyadenylation tail, helps to reduce excessive mRNA immunogenicity and/or to improve mRNA stability and translational efficiency. Therefore, the mRNA comprised by the composition of the invention may have certain functional sequence features, optimizing its properties with regard to stability, expression efficiency and tolerance in a patient.
- mRNA molecules may comprise an elongated oligo-A sequence or poly-A sequence at their 3’-end, i.e. a poly-A tail.
- the 3' poly-A facilitates nuclear export, and provides RNA stability and translational efficiency of the mRNA. Over time, the poly-A is shortened, eventually leading to the initiation of enzymatic mRNA degradation. Elongating the poly-A may therefore provide additional stability.
- the composition comprises an mRNA which comprises at least 60 adenosine nucleotides at the 3’-UTR. In a preferred embodiment, the mRNA comprises at least 100, more preferably 120 adenosine nucleotides at the 3’-UTR.
- the mRNA of the invention may comprise a poly(C) (poly- cysteine) tail at the 3'-terminus of typically about 10 to 200 cytosine nucleotides, preferably about 10 to 100 cytosine nucleotides, more preferably about 20 to 70 or even more preferably about 20 to 60 cytosine nucleotides.
- Codon optimization is another approach to improve gene expression by changing synonymous codons based on an organism's codon bias. Mutations are introduced into a gene of interest based on a host organism’s own codon usage bias to increase translational efficiency in said organism and thus protein expression without altering the sequence of the protein.
- the mRNA is codon optimized for expression in a human.
- RNA nucleic acids such as mRNA nucleic acids
- the mRNA of the invention may comprise at least one artificially modified nucleotide. In one embodiment the mRNA of the invention comprises no artificially modified nucleotides.
- the mRNA of the invention may have a modified and thus stabilized, by modifying the guanosine/cytosine (G/C) content of the mRNA sequence, particularly increased, compared to the G/C content of the coding region of the respective wild type mRNA, i.e. the unmodified mRNA.
- G/C guanosine/cytosine
- at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least 80% and most preferably at least 90%, 95% or even 100% of the substitutable codons in the coding region of the mRNA of the invention or the whole sequence of the wild type mRNA sequence may be substituted, thereby increasing the GC/content of said sequence.
- the mRNA of the invention may be modified by modifying, preferably increasing, the cytosine (C) content of the mRNA sequence, preferably of the coding region of the mRNA, compared to the C content of the coding region of the respective wild type mRNA, i.e. the unmodified mRNA.
- the mRNA sequence may be modified such that at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80%, or at least 90% of the theoretically possible maximum cytosine-content or even a maximum cytosine-content is achieved.
- the mRNA of the invention may, for instance and without limitation, include at least one of the sequence elements selected from the group consisting of CAP analog structures; suitable promoters or subgenomic promoters yielding a high translation rate; self-amplifying mRNA features (e.g. the mRNA of the invention may be a self-replicating mRNA), such as for instance cytomegalovirus promoter, T7 promoter or subgenomic SFV promoter; Kozak consensus sequence (5′-CCACCATGG-3′); a spacer of 3 to 6 nucleotides between (T7) promoter sequence and Kozak sequence, if present; stabilizing and/or structural sequence elements in UTR sequences.
- suitable promoters or subgenomic promoters yielding a high translation rate e.g. the mRNA of the invention may be a self-replicating mRNA, such as for instance cytomegalovirus promoter, T7 promoter or subgenomic SFV promoter; Kozak consensus
- Suitable RNA elements are described in the art and will be clear to a person of average skill in the relevant field.
- suitable CAP analog structures for the mRNA of the invention may be selected from the non-limiting group consisting of Vaccinia 2 ⁇ -O-Methyltransferase Cap 1, ARCA anti-reverse CAP analogue or ⁇ -S-ARCA cap, modified ARCA (e.g.
- phosphothioate modified ARCA m7GpppN, capl (methylation of the ribose of the adjacent nucleotide of m7G), cap2 (additional methylation of the ribose of the 2nd nucleotide downstream of the m7G), cap3 (additional methylation of the ribose of the 3rd nucleotide downstream of the m7G), cap4 (methylation of the ribose of the 4th nucleotide downstream of the m7G), inosine, N1-methyl-guanosine, 2'-fluoroguanosine, 7-deaza-guanosine, 8- oxo-guanosine, 2-aminoguanosine, LNA-guanosine, and 2-azido-guanosine.
- suitable stabilizing and/or structural sequence elements in UTR sequences for the mRNA of the invention may be based on a variant of the UTR sequence(s) of a gene, such as on a variant of the UTR(s) of an albumin gene, an a-globin gene, a ß-globin gene, a tyrosine hydroxylase gene, a lipoxygenase gene, or collagen alpha gene, such as a collagen alpha 1 gene, or a part thereof.
- the mRNA of the invention may comprise a 5’UTR HBA1, 5’UTR SFV, or 5’UTR 7, 3’UTR HBB; and/or a 3’UTR AES mtRNR1.
- an mRNA 5'-UTR may comprise or consist of a nucleic acid sequence, which is derived from the 5'-UTR of a ribosomal protein Large gene or from the 5'-UTR of a vertebrate TOP gene.
- the mRNA of the invention which encodes a HERV envelope protein or an immunogenic part thereof, may also encode said protein as part of a virus like particle (VLP).
- VLPs are molecules that closely resemble viruses made up of one or more different molecules with the ability to self-assemble and mimic release, form and size of a virus particle but lacking the genetic material for infecting a host cell. In the context of the present invention, they may be formed by encoding a viral Gag protein along with the HERV envelope protein.
- the gag gene is then translated into a polyprotein, which mediates the formation of the VLP in the absence of other viral proteins, incorporating HERV Env on the VLP’s surface.
- the composition of the invention comprises an mRNA, which encodes at least a HERV envelope protein or an immunogenic part thereof with a mutated ISD of the invention and a gag protein.
- the gag protein may be selected from the same or a different virus as the Env protein.
- the mRNA of the invention may encode at least a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) envelope protein or an immunogenic part thereof with a mutated ISD, a gag protein and a 2A peptide.
- the Env protein may for instance be encoded to comprise a Surface Unit (SU, also referred to as gp70), a cleavage site, and/or a transmembrane unit (TM, also referred to as p15E).
- SU Surface Unit
- TM transmembrane unit
- TM transmembrane unit
- TM also referred to as p15E
- the transmembrane unit may for instance comprise a fusion peptide, a transmembrane anchor, and/or a cytoplasmic tail.
- the mRNA or mRNA construct of the invention encoding at least a HERV envelope protein or an immunogenic part thereof, may also encode a Gag protein and may comprise a 5'UTR HBA, a 3'UTR HBB and a PolyA, comprising 70 adenine nucleotides.
- the mRNA of the invention may have the structure: (5'UTR) HBA1-HERV-K Gag Env ISDmut-(3'UTR) HBB-PolyA(70).
- the mRNA or mRNA construct of the invention encoding at least a HERV envelope protein or an immunogenic part thereof, may also encode a Gag protein and may comprise a 5'UTR of HBA1, a 3’UTR of AES mtRNR1 and a PolyA comprising 100 adenine nucleotides wherein 30 and 70 adenine nucleotides are preferably interrupted by a linker (30- linker-70).
- the mRNA of the invention may have the structure: 5'UTR of HBA1 - HERV-K Gag Env ISDmut (preferably with ISD mutation Q525A) - 3’UTR of AES mtRNR1 - PolyA (preferably the poly(A) being A30-linker-A70).
- the present invention relates to a DNA molecule encoding the mRNA comprised in the composition of the invention.
- HERV envelope protein The present invention provides a platform for displaying antigens to a body’s immune system.
- the coding for any type of protein, against which it is desired to raise an immune response can be incorporated in the mRNA construct.
- the mRNA encoded protein is endogenous retrovirus envelope protein (ERV Env) or an immunogenic protein derived from such proteins. It is generally believed that the vaccine directs ERV Env to dendritic cells (DCs), which present antigens to cells of the adaptive immune system. Presentation on MHC class I induces activation and proliferation of CD8+ T cells. These cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), specific for antigens of ERV Env, infiltrate tumors and kill cells displaying the respective antigen. Presentation of antigens on MHC class II by professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) activates CD4+ T cells, which subsequently co-activate B cells.
- DCs dendritic cells
- CTLs cytotoxic T lymphocytes
- APCs professional antigen presenting cells
- ERV Env Activated B cells that encounter the ERV Env target protein in the circulation or antigens displayed on cells or VLPs release antibodies specific for ERV Env. These antibodies are able to bind their target on cancer cells, inducing destruction and phagocytosis of the malignant cells. In this way, ERV-specific antibodies are able to prevent tumor growth and metastasis.
- the regained immunogenicity of tumor cells enables priming of a set of diverse tumor- specific T cells recognizing different tumor-associated and tumor-specific antigens.
- the newly primed and expanded CTLs infiltrate the tumor and kill malignant cells.
- Retroviruses are protein-enveloped and thus, retroviral genomes encode Env (envelope protein) as one of the three major proteins.
- the ERV protein in an aspect of the invention is a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) protein or an immunogenic part thereof. It has been estimated that every human genome consists of about 8% endogenous retroviral DNA. However, most of the endogenous retroviral DNA is just relics of the former retrovirus. Upon infection, viral RNA was reverse transcribed into proviral DNA, which was integrated into the host genome.
- HERV human endogenous retrovirus
- the provirus was integrated into cells of the germ line and became inheritable, giving rise to endogenous retroviruses.
- the viral DNA was passed down generations and became fixed in the populations. It follows that a large part of the human genome potentially may be used as antigen- coding part of mRNA like that of the invention.
- the HERV is selected from the group consisting of HERV-K, HERV-H, HERV- W, HERV-FRD, HERV-E, HERV-9, HERV-FC, HERV-T, HERV-3, HERV-V1 and HERV-V2.
- the HERV is selected from the group consisting of HERV-9, HERV-FC, HERV-T, HERV-E, HERV-3, HERV-V1 and HERV-V2.
- a preferred mutated immune-suppressive domain that reduces its immune-suppressive property compared to the wildtype ISD comprises or consists of the sequence LQNCZGLDLLTAEKGGLCTFLGE (SEQ ID NO: 38).
- a preferred wildtype immune-suppressive domain comprises or consists of the sequence AQNRRALDLLTADKGGTCLFLGE (SEQ ID NO: 39)
- a preferred wildtype immune-suppressive domain comprises or consists of the sequence LQNRRGLDLLFLSQGGLCAALGE (SEQ ID NO: 40).
- a preferred wildtype immune-suppressive domain comprises or consists of the sequence YQNRLALDYLLAAEGGVCGKFNL (SEQ ID NO: 41).
- a preferred wildtype immune-suppressive domain comprises or consists of the sequence YQNRLALDYLLAQEGGVCGKFNL (SEQ ID NO: 42).
- a preferred wildtype immune-suppressive domain comprises or consists of the sequence MNNRLALDYLLAEQGGVCAVISK (SEQ ID NO: 43).
- a preferred wildtype immune-suppressive domain comprises or consists of the sequence MDNRLALDYLLAEQGGVCAVINK (SEQ ID NO: 44).
- Other gamma-retroviral ISD sequences of other HERVs can be identified by multiple sequence alignment.
- the immune-suppressive domain comprising or consisting of the sequence AQNRRALDLLTADKGGTCLFLGE (SEQ ID NO: 39) already comprises mutations rendering the ISD less active or inactive, i.e.
- sequence AQNRRALDLLTADKGGTCLFLGE (SEQ ID NO: 39) may be directly used in an HERV-FC envelope protein encoded by an mRNA as described herein.
- An active gamma-retroviral ISD (consisting of 23 amino acid positions) may be suitably mutated to a non-immune suppressive ISD by replacing an acidic amino acid residue at position 14 with a different amino acid, such as preferably a basic amino acid residue. Additionally inserting an aromatic amino acid residue at position 20 of the ISD (consisting of 23 amino acid positions) may further improve stability.
- the HERV is selected from the group consisting of HERV-9, HERV-T, HERV-E, HERV-3, HERV-V1 and HERV-V2; wherein the mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immune-suppressive property compared to the wildtype ISD comprises or consists of one of the following sequences consisting of 23 amino acid positions: LQNCZGLDLLTAEKGGLCTFLGE (SEQ ID NO: 38) for HERV-9, LQNRRGLDLLFLSQGGLCAALGE (SEQ ID NO: 40) for HERV-T, YQNRLALDYLLAAEGGVCGKFNL (SEQ ID NO: 41) for HERV-E, YQNRLALDYLLAQEGGVCGKFNL (SEQ ID NO: 42) for HERV-3, MNNRLALDYLLAEQGGVCAVISK (SEQ ID NO: 43) for HERV-V1 and MDNRLALDYLLAEQ
- a single amino acid at position 14 is replaced with a different amino acid.
- the single amino acid at position 14 is replaced with a basic amino acid.
- the single amino acid at position 14 is replaced with R.
- the HERV is selected from the group consisting of HERV-9, HERV-T, HERV-E, HERV-3, HERV-V1 and HERV-V2, wherein the mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immune-suppressive property compared to the wildtype ISD comprises or consists of one of the following sequences: LQNCZGLDLLTAERGGLCTFLGE (SEQ ID NO: 46) for HERV-9, LQNRRGLDLLFLSRGGLCAFLGE (SEQ ID NO: 47) for HERV-T, YQNRLALDYLLAARGGVCGFFNL (SEQ ID NO: 48) for HERV-E, YQNRLALDYLLAQRGGV
- the mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immune-suppressive property compared to the wildtype ISD comprises or consists of one of the following sequences consisting of 23 amino acid positions: LQNCZGLDLLTAEKGGLCTFLGE (SEQ ID NO: 38) for HERV-9, LQNRRGLDLLFLSQGGLCAALGE (SEQ ID NO: 40) for HERV- T, YQNRLALDYLLAAEGGVCGKFNL (SEQ ID NO: 41) for HERV-E, YQNRLALDYLLAQEGGVCGKFNL (SEQ ID NO: 42) for HERV-3, MNNRLALDYLLAEQGGVCAVISK (SEQ ID NO: 43) for HERV-V1 and MDNRLALDYLLAEQGGVCAVINK (SEQ ID NO: 44) for HERV-V2, wherein a single amino acid at position 14 is replaced with R, and wherein a single amino acid at position 20 is
- the invention relates to a composition
- the mRNA encoded HERV envelope protein comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2 (see Table 1).
- the HERV is HERV-K.
- the HERV-K Env protein has a HERV-K Env consensus sequence, more preferably a codon-optimized consensus sequence.
- SEQ ID NO: 1 A particularly preferred amino acid sequence of wild-type HERV-K Env (without ISD mutation) is shown below and is designated as SEQ ID NO: 1 (see also Table 1): MNPSEMQRKAPPRRRRHRNRAPLTHKMNKMVTSEEQMKLPSTKKAEPPTWAQLKKLTQLATKYLENT KVTQTPESMLLAALMIVSMVVSLPMPAGAAAANYTYWAYVPFPPLIRAVTWMDNPIEVYVNDSVWVP GPIDDRCPAKPEEEGMMINISIGYRYPPICLGRAPGCLMPAVQNWLVEVPTVSPISRFTYHMVSGMS LRPRVNYLQDFSYQRSLKFRPKGKPCPKEIPKESKNTEVLVWEECVANSAVILQNNEFGTIIDWAPR GQFYHNCSGQTQSCPSAQVSPAVDSDLTESLDKHKHKKLQSFYPWEWGEKGISTPRPKIVSPVSGPE HPELWRLTVASHHIRIWSGNQTLETR
- the mRNA encoding the HERV Env protein is preferably constructed so as to allow the encoded protein to be expressed in vivo and presented to the immune system to elicit an immunological response.
- a cysteine preferably by replacing serine at position 190 of the HERV Env protein with a cysteine (S190C), and/or by increasing the cysteine content in general, preferably to an even number of cysteines in the HERV Env protein
- the expression efficiency of the HERV Env protein from encoding nucleic acid molecules was increased (see Figure 4), possibly through an increase of stability of the (transcribed) mRNA and/or of translated protein product.
- a serine at position 190 of the HERV Env protein may have a destabilizing effect, whereas replacing this position with a cysteine to obtain an even number of 18 cysteines in the HERV Env protein may have a stabilizing effect.
- the HERV envelope protein comprises an even number of cysteines.
- the HERV envelope protein alternatively or additionally comprises at least 18 cysteines.
- the HERV envelope protein comprises the amino acid sequence G C L M P A V Q N W L 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 V E V P T V S P I S 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 R F T Y H M V S G M 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 S L R P R V N Y L Q 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 wherein at least one amino acid at a position in the range of from positions 170 to 210 has been replaced by a cysteine.
- the HERV envelope protein comprises a cysteine at position 190.
- the HERV envelope protein comprises the amino acid mutation S190C.
- the HERV envelope protein alternatively or additionally comprises the sequence VQNWLVEVPTVSPICRFTYHMVSGMSLRP.
- the HERV envelope protein alternatively or additionally comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the HERV envelope protein comprises a cysteine at a position within said HERV envelope protein that corresponds to amino acid 190 of SEQ ID NO: 2.
- the HERV envelope protein comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:s 21-35.
- the HERV envelope protein comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:s 22-27, 29-32 and 35.
- the composition of the invention comprises an mRNA which has at least 90% sequence identity, and most preferably 100% sequence identity, with any of the sequences according to any one of SEQ ID NO:s 45, 36 or 37.
- the composition of the invention comprises an mRNA which has 100% sequence identity with any of the sequences according to any one of SEQ ID NO:s 45, 36 or 37.
- the cell surface expression of the HERV envelope protein (as defined in the previous sections) is increased compared to the cell surface expression of a HERV envelope protein having an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID: 2.
- a further aspect of the invention relates to an mRNA which has at least 90% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 45, wherein the mRNA encodes a polypeptide which comprises a HERV-K Gag and a HERV-K envelope (Env) protein; and wherein said HERV Env protein comprises a mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immune-suppressive property compared to the wildtype Env ISD (preferred ISD mutations and mutated ISD sequences are disclosed herein in the context of the invention – for example one or more of the ISD mutations L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, N527A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A can be used); and wherein the HERV envelope protein further comprises cysteine instead of serine at amino acid position 190 within said HERV envelope protein.
- ISD immune-suppressive domain
- the aforementioned mRNA is in a composition of the invention. Also provided is the use of the aforementioned mRNA to create a virus like particle (VLP).
- VLP virus like particle
- a further aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity with the polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO: 45, wherein the polypeptide comprises a HERV-K Gag and a HERV-K envelope (Env) protein; and wherein said HERV Env protein comprises a mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immune-suppressive property compared to the wildtype Env ISD (preferred ISD mutations and mutated ISD sequences are disclosed herein in the context of the invention – for example one or more of the ISD mutations L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, N527A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A can be used); and wherein the HERV envelope
- the aforementioned polypeptide is comprised in a virus like particle (VLP).
- VLP virus like particle
- a mRNA encoding the aforementioned polypeptide is comprised in a composition of the invention.
- a further aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide comprising or consisting of a HERV Env protein having at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the Env protein comprises a mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immune-suppressive property compared to the wildtype Env ISD (preferred ISD mutations and mutated ISD sequences are disclosed herein in the context of the invention –for example one or more of the ISD mutations L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, N527A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A can be used); and wherein the HERV envelope protein comprises a cysteine instead of serine at position 190 of SEQ ID NO: 2.
- ISD immune-suppressive domain
- the aforementioned polypeptide is comprised in a virus like particle (VLP).
- VLP virus like particle
- a mRNA encoding the aforementioned polypeptide is comprised in a composition of the invention.
- a further aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide comprising or consisting of a HERV Env protein, wherein the Env protein comprises a cysteine at position 190 so that the Env protein comprises the amino acid sequence VQNWLVEVPTVSPICRFTYHMVSGMSLRP; and wherein the Env protein further comprises a mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immune- suppressive property compared to the wildtype Env ISD (preferred ISD mutations and mutated ISD sequences are disclosed herein in the context of the invention – for example one or more of the ISD mutations L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, N527A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A can be used).
- ISD immune-suppressive domain
- the aforementioned polypeptide is comprised in a virus like particle (VLP).
- VLP virus like particle
- a mRNA encoding the aforementioned polypeptide is comprised in a composition of the invention.
- Immune-suppressive domain An immune-suppressive domain (ISD) can be seen as mechanism used by tumors to balance anti- tumor immune responses, while simultaneously retaining a tumor-promoting inflammatory milieu induced by HERV activation, similar to natural viral infections. The ISD is affecting both the innate and adaptive immune system, due to inhibition of macrophages, NK cells and T cells alike.
- a certain capability of this domain to induce IL-10 secretion from peripheral blood mononuclear cells upon contact and an ability of mutated ISD domains to decrease NF- ⁇ B induced gene expression, which was surprisingly found in transfection assays, has been observed as being related to the immune- suppressive and/or inflammatory milieu promoting function of the ISD.
- a reduced NF- ⁇ B expression due to a mutated ISD domain may be secondary to an immunogenic cell death pathway, leading to an apparent reduction in NF- ⁇ B, yet reflecting enhanced immune stimulation.
- a mutated ISD of the invention compared to a wild-type ISD that is not mutated and has an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 3 (see Table 1), inhibits the proliferation of human immune cells less, and/or has a reduced or no capability to induce IL-10 secretion from peripheral blood mononuclear cells when contacting said cells with said mutated ISD and/or decreases NF- ⁇ B expression.
- the immune suppressing ability is preferably reduced by 30% or more compared to the immune suppression achieved by the wild-type ISD.
- the ISD is inactivated even by 35% or 40% or more, such as 45% or more, such as 47%, 48% or 49% or more, such as 50% compared to the immune suppression performed by the original, i.e. not mutated ISD.
- Quantification of the level of immune suppression and/or induction of an inflammatory cell environment may be performed by quantifying levels of IL-10, NF- ⁇ B or NF- ⁇ B induced genes or other molecules secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Quantification methods are known in the art and include for example ELISA or FACS based methods.
- NF- ⁇ B activation/inhibition can specifically be determined by transfecting HEK293T cells with a mixture of a reporter plasmid expressing luciferase upon NF- ⁇ B expression, a selected HERV-K Env protein encoding DNA plasmid and lipofectamine. The day after the transfection, cells can be analysed for luciferase expression by addition of luciferase substrate followed by quantifying luminescence. In such an assay, HERV-K with a mutated ISD sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 may for example reduce the basal NF- ⁇ B level by approximately 20%, 25%, 30%, or even by approximately 40%, or even by up to 50% or even more.
- the ISD segment may be inactivated by mutation or deletion of one or more amino acids.
- the inactivation is performed by a mutation one or more of the amino acids are exchanged with a different amino acid, usually selected among the other 19 naturally occurring amino acids. It is most suitable to replace one or two single amino acids at any one of positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of ISD SEQ ID NO: 3.
- a person skilled in the art will have adequate knowledge and experience of which amino acids to exchange to lead them to a satisfactory immune response, optionally through evaluation of initial trials.
- the mutated ISD comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence: L A N Q I N D L R Q T V I W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 wherein one or two single amino acids at any of the positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are replaced with a different amino acid and preferably by alanine in each instance, to render the ISD inactive.
- the one or two single amino acids different from the original are selected among naturally occurring amino acids.
- DNA encoding HERV Env wherein the ISD according to SEQ ID NO: 3 (LANQINDLRQTVIW) comprises mutations of either one of the positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, the number of transfected cells expressing the encoded HERV Env protein with mutated ISD was increased compared to the expression in cells wherein HERV Env with wildtype ISD was transfected (see Figure 4).
- an increased expression of encoded antigenic protein, such as HERV Env, as well as a subsequently increased immune response to the antigen may be achieved when the antigenic protein, such as HERV Env, is encoded with a mutated ISD comprising mutations of either one of the positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, such as particularly of the experimentally tested mutations L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, I526A, N527A, D528A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A, V533A, I534A and W535A
- the ISD mutation is selected from the group consisting of L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, I526A, N527A, D528A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A, V533A, I534A and W535A.
- the mutated ISD comprises a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NO:s 4 or 8-20.
- the ISD mutation is selected from L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, N527A, L529A, R530A, Q531A and T532A.
- the mutated ISD comprises a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NO:s 4, 8-12, 14-17 or 20. It may be advantageous to combine the ISD mutations described herein with stabilizing cysteine substitutions as described further above.
- the HERV envelope protein comprises an even number of cysteines and alternatively or additionally comprises at least 18 cysteines
- the HERV envelope protein comprises an ISD mutation selected from the group consisting of L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, I526A, N527A, D528A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A, V533A, I534A and W535A, preferably an ISD mutation is selected from the group consisting of L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, N527A, L529A, R530A, Q531A and T532A.
- the HERV envelope protein comprises the amino acid sequence G C L M P A V Q N W L 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 V E V P T V S P I S 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 R F T Y H M V S G M 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 S L R P R V N Y L Q 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 wherein at least one amino acid at a position in the range of from positions 170 to 210 has been replaced by a cysteine, and the HERV envelope protein comprises an ISD mutation selected from the group consisting of L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, I526A, N527A, D528A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A, V533A, I534A and W
- the HERV envelope protein comprises a cysteine at position 190, and most preferably the amino acid mutation S190C, and the HERV envelope protein comprises an ISD mutation selected from the group consisting of L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, I526A, N527A, D528A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A, V533A, I534A and W535A, preferably an ISD mutation is selected from the group consisting of L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, N527A, L529A, R530A, Q531A and T532A.
- the HERV envelope protein comprises the amino acid mutation S190C and the ISD mutation Q525A.
- Amino acids are those L-amino acids commonly found in naturally occurring proteins. Amino acid residues are indicated in the present disclosure according to the standard three-letter or one-letter amino acid code. Any amino acid sequence that contains post-translationally modified amino acids may be described as the amino acid sequence that is initially translated and modifications e.g., hydroxylations or glycosylations, shall not be shown explicitly in the amino acid sequence. Any peptide or protein that can be expressed as a sequence modified linkages, cross links and end caps, non-peptidyl bonds, etc., is embraced herein, all as known in the art.
- the mutated ISD comprised by the RNA of the invention preferably comprises or consists of sequence LANAINDLRQTVIW (SEQ ID NO: 4).
- SEQ ID NO: 2 A particularly preferred HERV-K Env sequence containing the ISD disabling mutation is shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 (See also Table 1): MNPSEMQRKAPPRRRRHRNRAPLTHKMNKMVTSEEQMKLPSTKKAEPPTWAQLKKLTQLATKYLENT KVTQTPESMLLAALMIVSMVVSLPMPAGAAAANYTYWAYVPFPPLIRAVTWMDNPIEVYVNDSVWVP GPIDDRCPAKPEEEGMMINISIGYRYPPICLGRAPGCLMPAVQNWLVEVPTVSPISRFTYHMVSGMS LRPRVNYLQDFSYQRSLKFRPKGKPCPKEIPKESKNTEVLVWEECVANSAVILQNNEFGTIIDWAPR GQFYHNCSGQTQSCPSAQVSPAVDSDLTESLDKHKHKKLQSFYPWEWGEKGISTPRPKIVSPVSGPE HPELWRLTVASHHIRIWSGNQTLETRDRKPFYTVDLNS
- HERV ISD inactivation may be detected and quantified for confirmation via detection of the level of immune response in a subject, which is evoked by administering the composition if the invention. For instance, HERV specific antibodies may be quantified in blood samples from the subject.
- HERV human epidermal growth factor receptor
- FACS fluorescence-activated cell sorting
- NK and T cells both extracellular and intracellular stained markers of these activated immune cells in samples from immunized subjects, such as mice
- FACS fluorescence-activated cell sorting
- Suitable markers of immune cell activation will be clear to a person skilled in the art. For instance, activated T cells could be detectable via IFN ⁇ , TNF ⁇ and CD44 and NK cells could be detectable via CD56.
- an immunization effect using the mRNA of the invention and a composition of the invention was confirmed by immunizing mice with mRNA encoding the HERV-K proteins GAG and ENV with a mutated ISD (c.f. immunization schedule in Figure 5) treated in a prime and boost regimen (day 0 and day 7) and subsequently performing tetramer staining to detect and quantify CD8+ T-cells specific for the HERV-K antigens in mice spleen tissue as well as by ELISA for detection of specific antibodies in mice blood samples (see Figures 6 or 7, respectively).
- a mutated ISD c.f. immunization schedule in Figure 5
- a prime and boost regimen day 0 and day 7
- tetramer staining to detect and quantify CD8+ T-cells specific for the HERV-K antigens in mice spleen tissue as well as by ELISA for detection of specific antibodies in mice blood samples (see Figures 6 or 7, respectively).
- the results in Figure 6 confirm in vivo that immunization with mRNA encoding HERV-K GAG and HERV-K ENV with a mutated ENV ISD (e.g. mutation Q525A) induced CD8+ T-cell responses against both ENV, demonstrated by cells binding Tet18, and against GAG, demonstrated by cells binding Tet90. Further, the results in Figure 7 confirm that upon immunization of mice with mRNA encoding HERV-K GAG and ENV with an ISDmut (e.g. mutation Q525A) antibody immune responses against both antigen subunits SU and TM in the immunized mice are induced, i.e.
- ISD e.g. mutation Q525A
- an mRNA encoding an HERV Env protein comprising a mutated ISD may be effectively administered in vivo to generate a robust immune response against the HERV Env antigen and is useful for the vaccination against human endogenous retroviruses, and particularly against HERV-K.
- Another exemplary method to test the effectivity of immunizing and/or evoking an immune response by the composition of the invention comprising an mRNA coding for HERV Env with an inactive ISD is assessing the resistance to tumor formation.
- a tumor challenge and tumor rejection assay may be performed, wherein subjects, i.e. animals, are injected with tumor cells, for instance cells of tumor cell lines B16F10-GP or CT26 or 4T1 or murine renal carcinoma cells engineered to express parts of the human ERV-K genome, and subsequently treated, i.e. therapeutically vaccinated, with the composition of the invention. After a certain time period, for instance of 1 to 6 weeks, the subjects are analyzed with regard to tumor and/or metastasis formation as well as tumor size and tumor characteristics, e.g. by HERV Env specific staining of dissected tumors.
- tumor cells for instance cells of tumor cell lines B16F10-GP or CT26 or 4T1 or murine renal carcinoma cells engineered to express parts of the human ERV-K genome
- the composition of the invention After a certain time period, for instance of 1 to 6 weeks, the subjects are analyzed with regard to tumor and/or metastasis formation as well as tumor size and tumor characteristics, e.
- the composition of the invention can be determined, whether tumor formation was reduced or rejected through the treatment with the composition of the invention and whether tumors expressed HERV Env.
- antigenic display or antigen provision after cellular contact and uptake of the composition of the invention to initiate an immune response: as MHC class I antigens on the contacted cell’s surface, presented to CD8+ T cells, or as MHC class II antigens on professional antigen-presenting cells. Both mechanisms emphasize the importance of surface display for antigen detection in the immunization process.
- the present inventors surprisingly observed that encoded HERV-K Env having an ISD with the point mutation of SEQ ID NO: 4 showed an improved HERV-K cell surface display on HEK293 cells vitro compared to HERV-K Env without the ISD mutation (see figure 1).
- the point mutation that renders the ISD inactive is also the cause for the improved surface display.
- the mRNA of the present invention may also encode further proteins. Co-encoded moieties may then for instance experience a kind of pull-along effect towards the cell surface, being displayed along with HERV Env.
- the present invention may also relate to a composition
- a composition comprising a transfection agent and an mRNA which encodes at least a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) envelope protein or an immunogenic part thereof, wherein said HERV envelope protein comprises an immune-suppressive domain (ISD), wherein the HERV Env protein comprises a mutated immune- suppressive domain (ISD) that reduces its immunosuppressive property compared to the wildtype ISD, and wherein said HERV protein is co-expressed with at least one further protein encoded by the same mRNA.
- the at least one further protein may be conjugated, i.e.
- the HERV envelope protein of the invention fused, to the HERV envelope protein of the invention, which may enable the further protein to be secreted or displayed at the cell surface along with the HERV envelope protein.
- the at least one further protein may also be expressed separately, i.e. not be fused to the HERV envelope protein of the invention.
- the average skilled person is aware of how to obtain fused and not fused co-expressed proteins which are encoded on the same mRNA strand.
- the further protein may be directly linked to the HERV envelope protein, or linked to it via a linker also encoded by the mRNA. Suitable linkers are known in the art.
- the at least one further protein may be conjugated with the HERV envelope protein of the invention via a linker, wherein said linker is for instance a suitable amino acid sequence, in particular of preferably between 1 and 30, such as between 1 and 10 amino acid residues. Preferred examples of such amino acid sequences include but are not limited to gly-ser linkers.
- the further encoded protein may be an antigen.
- the further encoded protein may be an adjuvant.
- the further encoded protein may be a peptide or protein from a peptide or protein library.
- the co-display may allow the presentation of the peptide or protein for selection and/or characterization at the cell surface.
- proteins are more stable when connected to a matrix rather than as free molecules and on the present case, the cell surface acts as a matrix.
- the further encoded protein may be a protein or peptide produced in the host cell, i.e. a eukaryotic cell, wherein the protein or peptide is to be obtained with a certain purity.
- Molecules, e.g. peptides or proteins, displayed at the cell surface are freely accessible for substrates or binding partners in activity or binding assays.
- the further encoded protein may be an enzyme or catalytic portion of an enzyme or an antibody or portion thereof.
- the displayed molecules are also freely accessible to be bound in cell purification assays or detected in detection assays.
- the further encoded protein may be a tag for cell purification, such as an affinity or epitope tag, for instance selected from but not limited to the group consisting of CaM-Tag, CBP-Tag, GST-Tag, MBP-Tag; biotinylating tags such as Avi-Tag, BCCP- Tag, Strep-Tag; His-Tag, FLAG-Tag, Xpress-Tag; T7 epitope Tag and Tap-Tag.
- the further encoded protein may be a peptide to be detected, such as for instance fluorescent tags, such as for instance GFP, YFP and many others known in the art. Cancer cells frequently upregulate surface receptors that promote growth and survival. These receptors constitute valid targets for intervention. One strategy involves the delivery of toxic receptor binding agents with the goal of killing those cancer cells with high receptor levels.
- the further encoded protein in one embodiment may be an mRNA encoded agent suitable to kill cancer cells, such as for instance a protein toxin. Medical use As shown in the example, the mRNA of the invention exhibits the surprising beneficial effect of greatly improving cellular surface display of the encoded antigen, i.e.
- HERV Env As described in the introductory section, such efficient surface presentation of an antigen is crucial for evoking a response from the immune system by contact with the antigen.
- the increased surface display of the encoded antigen i.e. HERV Env
- HERV Env is bound to greatly promote an immunologic reactivity of a subject’s body against HERV Env.
- a subject may be immunized with the composition of the invention that is effective against the development or progression of HERV-related cancer and/or causes the subject’s body to fight HERV-related cancer through an immunologic action.
- the composition of the invention i.e.
- the composition comprising a transfection agent and an mRNA which encodes at least a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) envelope protein or an immunogenic part thereof, with a mutated immune-suppressive domain (ISD) with reduced immune-suppressive property compared to the wildtype ISD, is therefore suitable to be administered in therapy or prophylaxis.
- the composition may be administered as a treatment or vaccine, or as part of a treatment or vaccine, in order to induce a specific immune response against endogenous retrovirus-related tumor cells and/or immunize a subject against the development or progression of tumors caused by the activity of HERVs.
- the invention relates to the composition of the invention for use as a medicament.
- the present invention relates to the composition of the invention for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease, preferably for immunizing a subject against a disease.
- the invention relates to the composition of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament.
- the present invention relates to a method of treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease, preferably of immunizing a subject against a disease, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of the invention.
- the disease which is subject to prophylaxis and/or therapeutic treatment by the composition of the invention, is an ERV reactivation associated disease or disorder, preferably a HERV reactivation associated disease or disorder.
- the disease, which is subject to prophylaxis and/or therapeutic treatment by the composition of the invention is selected from the group consisting of cancer, HIV and/or associated disorders, rheumatic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, aging associated diseases, diseases associated with HERV reactivation, chronic inflammation multiple sclerosis, ALS, sarcopenia, kidney diseases and Alzheimer’s disease.
- HIV can reactivate HERV in human subjects (Jakobsson, Johan, and Michelle Vincendeau. "SnapShot: Human endogenous retroviruses.” Cell 185.2 (2022): 400-400.).
- this reactivation of HERV in HIV patients is expected to be reduced, consequently providing a health benefit to HIV patients.
- the disease is ALS it may preferably be ALS associated with Transactive response DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) and/or its C-terminal fragment, such as ALS associated with increased ubiquitination, hyperphosphorylation, mislocalization, and/or accumulation of TDP-43 and/or its C-terminal fragment.
- the disease is Alzheimer’s diseases it may preferably be Alzheimer’s disease associated with Tau protein expression, Tau protein elevation, Tau protein mislocalization and/or Tau protein aggregation.
- the present invention is particularly suitable for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer.
- the target cancer for HERV-K is prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lymphomas, melanomas, leukemia and sarcomas
- the target cancer for HERV-H is colorectal cancer
- the target cancer for HERV-W is testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lymphomas and leukemia
- the target cancer for HERV-E is lung cancer and liver cancer.
- the type of cancer treated or prevented by the present invention is not particularly limited and includes prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lymphomas, melanomas, leukemia, sarcomas, colorectal cancer, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lymphomas, lung cancer, and liver cancer.
- the cancer is a HERV-expressing cancer.
- said HERV-expressing cancer is selected from the group consisting of a PD-L1- expressing tumor, a cervical cancer, penile cancer, anal cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, clear cell kidney cancer, head/neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell cancer, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), triple negative breast cancer, endometrial cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), multiple myeloma (MM), myeloid cell leukemia-1
- the use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer may for instance comprise the step of priming a subject with the composition of the invention at least 5 days before boosting with the composition of the invention.
- the composition of the invention is also suitable for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer, which comprises the step of post treating the subject 5 days or more after the exposure of the subject to the composition of the invention, e.g. after vaccination with said composition, with a differently encoded antigen, i.e.
- the HERV Env protein of the invention for instance as a VLP derived from an adenovirus, Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) or otherwise virally encoded.
- VVA Modified Vaccinia Ankara
- the mRNA of the invention is used as a genetic vaccine, in particular in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease, preferably cancer.
- the nucleic acid molecule can also be used to produce VLPs, in particular HERV-K VLPs in vitro.
- the resulting VLPs can then be used in immunotherapy, in particular in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease, preferably cancer. It is understood that also in this context the cancer to be treated is a cancer expressing ERV.
- the present invention relates to the composition according to the invention for use in the prevention or slowing of aging and/or of cellular senescence.
- the present invention relates to the composition according to the invention for use in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or slowing of aging and/or of cellular senescence.
- the present invention also relates to a VLP encoded by the nucleic acid molecule encoding a Gag protein and an HERV envelope protein (Env) or an immunogenic part thereof wherein the native genomic structure connecting Gag and the Env has been replaced by an operative linker.
- said operative linker is p2A.
- the HERV is HERV-K. More preferably the HERV is HERV-K with an amino acid sequence as published by Lee et al.
- the invention relates to the nucleic acid molecule or the VLP for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease. It is preferred that the disease is cancer. It is understood that the cancer is a cancer expressing the corresponding HERV.
- Pharmaceutical composition As outlined above, the composition of the invention is for instance useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the composition of the invention.
- compositions of the invention may be beneficial to improve therapeutic or prophylactic effectivity and/or patients’ tolerance when administering the composition of the invention in therapy or prophylaxis as outlined above.
- pharmaceutically acceptable excipients may be selected as defined elsewhere herein.
- the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may comprise at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient selected from the group consisting of water, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sucrose, sodium acetate or saline.
- FIGURES Figure 1 HEK293 cells were transfected with either DNA encoding HERV-K GAG-ENV or HERV- K GAG-ENV ISDmut formulated in JetPEI, or RNA 1 (5'UTR) HBA1-HERV-K Gag Env ISDmut- (3'UTR) HBB-PolyA (70)) (SEQ ID NO: 45) formulated in Lipofectamine Messenger MAX.
- RNA 1 5'UTR
- HBA1-HERV-K Gag Env ISDmut- (3'UTR) HBB-PolyA (70) SEQ ID NO: 45
- Lipofectamine Messenger MAX Lipofectamine Messenger MAX.
- NF- ⁇ B activation or inhibition was determined by transfecting HEK293T cells with a mixture of a reporter plasmid expressing luciferase upon NF- ⁇ B expression, a DNA plasmid encoding either a HERV-K Env protein with intact ISD (WT) or a HERV-K Env protein with a mutated ISD (ISDmut) and lipofectamine.
- HEK293 cells were transfected with either “RNA 4” encoding 5'UTR of HBA1 - HERV-K Gag Env ISDmut (with ISD mutation Q525A) - 3’UTR of AES mtRNR1 - PolyA (30-linker-70) with an N1-methylpseudouridine (m1 ⁇ ) modification (SEQ ID NO: 36), or “RNA8”, encoding 5'UTR of HBA1 - HERV-K Gag Env (with a wild-type ISD without mutation) - 3’UTR of AES mtRNR1 - PolyA (30-linker-70) with N1- methylpseudouridine (m1 ⁇ ) modification (SEQ ID NO: 37), each formulated in Lipofectamine Messenger MAX.
- HEK293 cells were transfected with DNA encoding HERV-K GAG-ENV (with a wild- type ISD without mutation, sample labelled “WT”) or with DNA encoding HERV-K GAG ENV ISDmut (with an ISD with certain mutations), each formulated in JetPEI.
- the DNA constructs used were the same as for experiments for data shown in Figure 1 (c.f.
- ISD mutations tested for the ISDmut constructs were L522A, A523Q, N524A, Q525A, I526A, N527A, D528A, L529A, R530A, Q531A, T532A, V533A, I534A and W535A (samples labelled with the according mutations; see also ISD sequences in Table 3, SEQ ID NO:s 4 and 8-20).
- constructs with a stabilizing mutation S190C in combination with a wild-type ISD or in combination with a mutated ISD comprising ISD mutation Q525A were tested (samples labelled “WT + S190C” and “Q525A + S190C”).
- samples labelled “WT + S190C” and “Q525A + S190C” were tested in control samples.
- cells were left untreated (sample labelled “Control NT”) or cells were treated with JetPEI (sample labelled “Control JetPEI”). 24h post transfection, the cells were stained for HERV-K ENV expression.
- the graph shows % of HERV-K ENV positive cells of live cells.
- FIG. 5 Schematic representation of the vaccine regimen, wherein CB6F1 WT (wild-type) mice were immunized on day 0 (Prime) with mRNA encoding the HERV-K proteins GAG and ENV ISDmut with N1-methylpseudouridine (m1 ⁇ ) modification (construct according to SEQ ID NO: 36), which can assemble into the form of a VLP with the ISD of the ENV protein mutated (mutation Q525A), represented by (SEQ ID NO: 36).
- mice received a second dose of mRNA encoding the same antigenic cassette (Boost).
- Boost antigenic cassette
- Mice were euthanized on day 21 for analysis of immune responses by tetramer staining to detect and quantify T-cells specific for the HERV-K antigens in spleen tissue samples or by ELISA for detection of specific antibodies in mice blood samples. Results are shown in Figures 6 and 7.
- tetramers For tetramer staining on splenocytes, tetramers consist of four coupled MHC class I molecules, loaded with selected antigen specific peptides (from HERV-K) and conjugated to fluorophores. The tetramers bind only to T cells that are specific for the loaded target antigen peptide. As the vaccine used for immunization herein induces activation and expansion of HERV-K antigen-specific T cells, tetramer staining detects the fraction of antigen-specific T cells expanded upon vaccine administration to mice.
- Tetramer Tet18 binds to CD8+ T-cells that are specific for a HERV-K ENV epitope
- tetramers Tet29 and Tet90 bind to CD8+ T-cells that are specific for HERV-K GAG epitopes.
- the immunization with mRNA encoding HERV-K GAG and HERV-K ENV with a mutated ENV ISD (mutation Q525A) induced CD8+ T-cell responses against both ENV (i.e. cells bound by Tet18) and GAG (i.e. cells bound by Tet90 ).
- the data illustrates the OD value as determined by ELISA performed with serum samples harvested from immunized mice at day 21 after prime immunization and the signal represents the quantity of antibodies in the mouse serum samples, directed against respective protein subunits.
- OD values were determined in a 1:25 dilution of serum samples harvested on day 21 after prime immunization, wherein the OD represents the level of antibodies directed against subunit TM (HERV- K ENV transmembrane subunit).
- OD values were determined in a 1:25 dilution of serum samples harvested at day 21 after prime immunization, wherein the OD represents the level of antibodies directed against subunit SU (HERV-K ENV surface subunit).
- EXAMPLE 1 1.1 Cell culture HEK293 cell line originating from a human embryonal kidney culture was generated by transformation with sheared adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) DNA (available from LGC standards (ATCC)). Advantages of this cell line include easy growth and efficient transfection.
- HEK293 cells were maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) Glutamax supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS), and 1% penicillin + streptavidin (Pen/Strep). The cell line was maintained at 37°C with 5% CO2 in a humidified atmosphere.
- DMEM Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium
- FBS heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum
- Pen/Strep penicillin + streptavidin
- DNA vectors The DNA vector pO6A19 encoding codon optimized HERV-K GAG-ENV (SEQ ID NO: 7), or HERV-K GAG-ENV ISDmut (Q525A) (SEQ ID NO: 6), or HERV-K GAG-ENV ISDmut variants L522A (SEQ ID NO: 8), A523Q (SEQ ID NO: 9), N524A (SEQ ID NO: 10), I526A (SEQ ID NO: 11), N527A (SEQ ID NO: 12), D528A (SEQ ID NO: 13), L529A (SEQ ID NO: 14), R530A (SEQ ID NO: 15), Q531A (SEQ ID NO: 16), T532A (SEQ ID NO: 17), V533A (SEQ ID NO: 18), I534A (SEQ ID NO: 19), W535A (SEQ ID NO: 20), or HERV-K GAG-ENV ISDWT with S190C
- Targeted genes were preceded by a strong cytomegalovirus promoter and tetracycline operator (TetO) sites and were followed by the SV40 polyadenylation signal.
- RNA was linked to Envelope ISDmut (Env ISDmut) gene via a Glycine/Serine/Glycine (GSG) linker followed by a self-cleaving porcine teschovirus-12A peptide (P2A).
- GSG Glycine/Serine/Glycine
- P2A porcine teschovirus-12A peptide
- the synthesized GOI was used as a template by Vectorbuilder and synthesized with flanking 5’UTR, a Kozak sequence, a 3’UTR and a poly-A (SEQ ID NO: 45).
- the mRNA was manufactured by Vectorbuilder. Synthesized sequence constructs are as outlined in the figure description. Besides the mRNA construct above, two additional mRNA constructs were synthesized.
- the consensus HERV-K GAG protein was encoded to be linked to an Envelope (ENV) or Envelope ISDmut (ENV ISDmut) protein via a Glycine/Serine/Glycine (GSG) linker followed by a self- cleaving porcine teschovirus-1 2A peptide (P2A).
- Envelope Envelope
- GSG Glycine/Serine/Glycine
- P2A porcine teschovirus-1 2A peptide
- These synthesized GOIs were used as synthesis templates by Vectorbuilder and synthesized with flanking 5’UTR, a Kozak sequence, a 3’UTR and a poly-A tail as outlined in SEQ ID NO:s 36 and 37. Both of the mRNA constructs were modified with N1-methylpseudouridine (m1 ⁇ ).
- the cells were stained for 30min with the HERV-K ENV specific antibody HERM 1811-5 (Austral Biologics) conjugated with AlexaFluor647 (Molecular probes).
- the cells were washed with PBS and incubated with the Viability dye eFluor 780 (eBioscience).
- the reaction was stopped by adding PBS with 1% BSA and 0.1% NaN 3 and the cells were washed with PBS.
- the cells were fixed with 2% paraformaldehyde, washed with PBS with 1% BSA and 0.1% NaN 3 and then resuspended in PBS with 1% BSA and 0.1% NaN 3 .
- LNPs can be produced by taking a nucleotide, e.g. mRNA, of the invention and following the methodology disclosed for example in Leung et al., (Leung, et al., 2015, Microfluidic Mixing: A General Method for Encapsulating Macromolecules in Lipid Nanoparticle Systems. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 119(28), 8698–8706), Ripoll et al.
- a nucleotide e.g. mRNA
- the LNP are formulated by mixing an mRNA of the invention with a lipid composition comprising at least one cationic lipid.
- the mRNA is mixed with a lipid composition
- a lipid composition comprising DOSPA (2,3 ⁇ dioleoyloxy ⁇ N ⁇ [2(sperminecarboxamido)ethyl] ⁇ N,N ⁇ dimethyl ⁇ 1 ⁇ propaniminium trifluoroacetate) and DOPE, wherein preferably DOSPA and DOPE is in a molar ratio of between 2:1 to 4: 1.
- DOSPA and DOPE is in a molar ratio of between 2:1 to 4: 1.
- a formulation as outlined above in Examples 1.4 and 1.5 can be used to bring the mRNA into the target cells.
- NF- ⁇ B activation/inhibition was determined by transfecting HEK293T cells in a 96-well plate with a mixture of 50 ng reporter plasmid expressing luciferase upon NF- ⁇ B expression, 0-50 ng of a selected HERV-K Env protein encoding DNA plasmid and 0.6 ⁇ l lipofectamine per well. The total DNA amount was adjusted to 100 ng using the empty plasmid pO6A5tetO empty (IPT22).
- the cells were transfected with the following HERV-K Env plasmids: HERV-K WT IPT24 plasmid with p06A5-(TetO)-CMV-coHERV-K-P2TS and HERV-K ISDmut IP27 plasmid with p06A5-(TetO)-CMV-ISDmut-coHERV-K-P2TS).
- Luminescence can be measured by a suitable method known in the art.
- the experiment may for instance be carried out essentially as described in the publication by Mendez et al. (2020) (Mendez JM, Keestra-Gounder AM. NF- ⁇ B-dependent Luciferase Activation and Quantification of Gene Expression in Salmonella Infected Tissue Culture Cells. J Vis Exp. 2020, Jan 12) or according to a protocol derived from said protocol.
- HERV-K with the mutated ISD sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 exhibited a reduction of NF- ⁇ B as measured in a luciferase assay compared to a cell transfected with a control plasmid by about 50%.
- Figure 2 The results are shown in Figure 2.
- EXAMPLE 4 4.1 Animal procedures and serum isolation All animal procedures were performed in accordance with the national guidelines of Denmark and the experimental procedures were approved by the National Animal Experimental Inspectorate (Dyrefors ⁇ gstilsynet) of Denmark. Female CB6F1 mice were obtained at 6-8 weeks of age from Envigo and housed at the Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, for at least one week before conducting any experiments. 4.2 Immunization and serum isolation Mice were immunized in a homologous prime-boost regimen with mRNA-HERV-K GAG - ENV ISDmut with N1-Methylpseudouridine (m1 ⁇ ) (SEQ ID NO: 36).
- a prime immunization was injected on day 0, followed by a boost immunization on day 7. Immune responses were analyzed 14 days after the boost, i.e. on day 21 after prime immunization on day 0.
- the immunization schedule is shown in Figure 5.
- the mRNA was diluted in OptiMEM and mixed with Lipofectamine RNAiMAX at a ratio of 1:2 of ⁇ g mRNA to ⁇ L RNAiMAX.
- Each mouse received a dose of 3.5 ⁇ g mRNA in 200 ⁇ L solution injected intravenously (i.v.). On day 21, blood samples were taken by bleeding from the cheek of the animals.
- Serum was isolated from the obtained blood samples by two consecutive centrifugation steps, each for 8 min at 800g and at 8°C.
- mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation.
- 4.3 Splenocyte suspension Spleens were removed aseptically from euthanized mice (at the end of the immunization studies) and transferred to RPMI 1640 GlutaMax supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FBS, 1% Pen/Strep, and 1% Na Pyruvate (complete RPMI).
- Single-cell suspensions were obtained by pressing the spleens through a fine mesh (mesh size 70 ⁇ m), followed by centrifugation of the splenocytes.
- splenocytes were then centrifuged and then incubated with the respective tetramer, wherein 0.08 ⁇ g to 0.25 ⁇ g of the relevant tetramers in FACS buffer with 50nM of Dasatinib were added to 500,000 cells at 37°C, 5% CO 2 for 15min in the dark.
- - TET18 peptide TYHMVSGMSL with H2Kd MHC class I monoclonal antibody, labelled with Brilliant Violet BV421 provided by Immunitrack
- - TET29 peptide QNVDYNQL with H2Kb MHC class I monoclonal antibody, labelled with Allophycocyanin fluorophore (APC) provided by Immunitrack
- - TET90 peptide EPYPDFVARL with H2Kb MHC class I monoclonal antibody, labelled with Phycoerythrin fluorophore (PE) provided by Immunitrack.
- ELISA MaxiSorp (NUNC) flat bottom plates were coated with proteins of the HERV-K ENV (envelope protein) transmembrane subunit (TM) or HERV-K surface subunit (SU) at 2 ⁇ g/mL in PBS overnight at 4°C. Plates were washed three times with wash buffer (PBS + 354 mM NaCl + 0.1% Tween20, pH 7.2) and then blocked for 1h at room temperature (about 21°C) using Blocking buffer (PBS + 354 mM NaCl + 5 g/L BSA + 0.05% Tween20, pH 7.2).
- wash buffer PBS + 354 mM NaCl + 0.1% Tween20, pH 7.2
- Blocking buffer PBS + 354 mM NaCl + 5 g/L BSA + 0.05% Tween20, pH 7.2.
- HRP horseradish peroxidase
- a computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.
- Sequences are disclosed in the main body of the description and in a separate sequence listing according to WIPO standard ST.25.
- a SEQ ID specified with a specific number should be the same in the main body of the description and in the separate sequence listing.
- SEQ ID no.: 1 should define the same sequence in both, the main body of the description and in the separate sequence listing. Should there be a discrepancy between a sequence definition in the main body of the description and the separate sequence listing (if e.g.
- a reference to a specific sequence in the application in particular of specific embodiments, is to be understood as a reference to the sequence in the main body of the application and not to the separate sequence listing.
- a discrepancy between a sequence definition/designation in the main body of the description and the separate sequence listing is to be resolved by correcting the separate sequence listing to the sequences and their designation disclosed in the main body of the application which includes the description, examples, figures and claims.
- EXAMPLE 5 A composition according to the invention can be produced by following examples 1.4 and 2 as outlined above.
- this composition or any other composition of the invention described herein can be administered to patients suffering from age related diseases. It is known that retroviruses including HERV can be reactivated in elderly persons and cause disease symptoms (see Zlotorynski, E. Younger endogenous retroviruses make us older. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 24, 165 (2023)). Accordingly, an administering of the compositions of the invention to such patients is expected to ameliorate these symptoms. The skilled artisan can test several dosages to find the amount that is sufficient to ameliorate these symptoms.
- Table 1 Peptide sequences of HERV-K Env with mutated ISD, wild type ISD and ISD variant SEQ ID Description Sequence NO: 1 HERV-K MNPSEMQRKAPPRRRRHRNRAPLTHKMNKMVTSEEQMKLPSTKKAEPPTWAQLKKLTQLAT Env WT KYLENTKVTQTPESMLLAALMIVSMVVSLPMPAGAAAANYTYWAYVPFPPLIRAVTWMDNP IEVYVNDSVWVPGPIDDRCPAKPEEEGMMINISIGYRYPPICLGRAPGCLMPAVQNWLVEV PTVSPISRFTYHMVSGMSLRPRVNYLQDFSYQRSLKFRPKGKPCPKEIPKESKNTEVLVWE ECVANSAVILQNNEFGTIIDWAPRGQFYHNCSGQTQSCPSAQVSPAVDSDLTESLDKHKHK KLQSFYPWEWGEKGISTPRPKIVSPVSGPEHPELWRLTVASHHIRIWSGNQTLETR
- sequence of SEQ ID NO:s 5 may comprise on DNA level the initial nucleotide sequence GGG preceding the 5’UTR.
- sequences of SEQ ID NO: 36 and 37 may comprise on DNA level the initial nucleotide sequence GGGA preceding the 5’UTR.
- sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45 may comprise on DNA level the initial nucleotide sequence GGGAG preceding the 5’UTR.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
- Microbiology (AREA)
- Mycology (AREA)
- Virology (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
- Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2024256799A AU2024256799A1 (en) | 2023-04-21 | 2024-04-22 | Improved expression of surface-displayed antigens |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP23169279.9 | 2023-04-21 | ||
| EP23169279 | 2023-04-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2024218400A1 true WO2024218400A1 (en) | 2024-10-24 |
Family
ID=86142733
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2024/060972 Pending WO2024218400A1 (en) | 2023-04-21 | 2024-04-22 | Improved expression of surface-displayed antigens |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2024256799A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024218400A1 (en) |
Citations (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5723332A (en) | 1993-11-26 | 1998-03-03 | British Technology Group Limited | Translational enhancer DNA |
| US5807707A (en) | 1995-02-10 | 1998-09-15 | Mcmaster University | High efficiency translation of mRNA molecules |
| US5891665A (en) | 1986-06-04 | 1999-04-06 | Diatech Limited | Untranslated leader sequences from RNA viruses as enhancers of translation |
| WO2011092199A1 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2011-08-04 | Institut Gustave Roussy | Mutated xmrv env proteins in the immunosuppressive domain |
| US20110305749A1 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2011-12-15 | Mogens Ryttergaard Duch | HIV-1 Envelope Polypeptides for HIV Vaccine |
| US20120189647A1 (en) | 2004-03-30 | 2012-07-26 | Institut Gustave Roussy | Polypeptide sequence involved in the modulation of the immunosuppresive effect of viral proteins |
| WO2013050048A2 (en) | 2011-10-07 | 2013-04-11 | Skau Aps | Identification and attenuation of the immunosuppressive domains in fusion proteins of enveloped rna viruses |
| WO2014195510A1 (en) | 2013-06-07 | 2014-12-11 | Viroxis S.A.S. | Mutated non-primate lentiviral env proteins and their use as drugs |
| WO2019043127A9 (en) * | 2017-09-01 | 2020-06-18 | Inprother Aps | A vaccine for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease |
| WO2020252455A1 (en) * | 2019-06-13 | 2020-12-17 | The General Hospital Corporation | Engineered human-endogenous virus-like particles and methods of use thereof for delivery to cells |
-
2024
- 2024-04-22 AU AU2024256799A patent/AU2024256799A1/en active Pending
- 2024-04-22 WO PCT/EP2024/060972 patent/WO2024218400A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5891665A (en) | 1986-06-04 | 1999-04-06 | Diatech Limited | Untranslated leader sequences from RNA viruses as enhancers of translation |
| US5723332A (en) | 1993-11-26 | 1998-03-03 | British Technology Group Limited | Translational enhancer DNA |
| US5807707A (en) | 1995-02-10 | 1998-09-15 | Mcmaster University | High efficiency translation of mRNA molecules |
| US20120189647A1 (en) | 2004-03-30 | 2012-07-26 | Institut Gustave Roussy | Polypeptide sequence involved in the modulation of the immunosuppresive effect of viral proteins |
| US20110305749A1 (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2011-12-15 | Mogens Ryttergaard Duch | HIV-1 Envelope Polypeptides for HIV Vaccine |
| WO2011092199A1 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2011-08-04 | Institut Gustave Roussy | Mutated xmrv env proteins in the immunosuppressive domain |
| WO2013050048A2 (en) | 2011-10-07 | 2013-04-11 | Skau Aps | Identification and attenuation of the immunosuppressive domains in fusion proteins of enveloped rna viruses |
| WO2014195510A1 (en) | 2013-06-07 | 2014-12-11 | Viroxis S.A.S. | Mutated non-primate lentiviral env proteins and their use as drugs |
| WO2019043127A9 (en) * | 2017-09-01 | 2020-06-18 | Inprother Aps | A vaccine for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease |
| WO2020252455A1 (en) * | 2019-06-13 | 2020-12-17 | The General Hospital Corporation | Engineered human-endogenous virus-like particles and methods of use thereof for delivery to cells |
Non-Patent Citations (45)
| Title |
|---|
| "Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection, and Use", 2008, WILEY-VCH |
| "Remington 's Pharmaceutical Sciences", 1985, MACK PUBLISHING COMPANY, pages: 1418 |
| ALTMAN JDMOSS PAGOULDER PJBAROUCH DHMCHEYZER-WILLIAMS MGBELL JIMCMICHAEL AJDAVIS MM: "Phenotypic analysis of antigen-specific T lymphocytes", SCIENCE, vol. 274, no. 5284, 4 October 1996 (1996-10-04), pages 94 - 6, XP093091789, DOI: 10.1126/science.274.5284.94 |
| BARBA ET AL., LIPID DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR NUCLEIC ACID-BASED-DRUGS: FROM PRODUCTION TO CLINICAL APPLICATIONS. PHARMACEUTICS, vol. 11, no. 8, 2019, pages 360 |
| BERGE ET AL., JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, vol. 66, 1977, pages 1 - 19 |
| BLUMER ET AL., MECH DEV, vol. 110, 2002, pages 97 - 112 |
| DARADOUMIS JOANA ET AL: "An Endogenous Retrovirus Vaccine Encoding an Envelope with a Mutated Immunosuppressive Domain in Combination with Anti-PD1 Treatment Eradicates Established Tumours in Mice", VIRUSES, vol. 15, no. 4, 1 April 2023 (2023-04-01), CH, pages 926, XP093183333, ISSN: 1999-4915, DOI: 10.3390/v15040926 * |
| DOWNEY, R.F. ET AL.: "Human endogenous retrovirus K and cancer: Innocent bystander or tumorigenic accomplice?", INT J CANCER, vol. 137, no. 6, 2015, pages 1249 - 57, XP071289469, DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29003 |
| FERAPONTOV, A.OMER, M.BAUDREXEL, I. ET AL.: "Antigen footprint governs activation of the B cell receptor", NAT COMMUN, vol. 14, 2023, pages 976 |
| GARNEAU ET AL., NAT REV MOL CELL BIOL, vol. 8, no. 2, 2007, pages 113 - 126 |
| GIMENEZ, J. ET AL.: "Custom human endogenous retroviruses dedicated microarray identifies self-induced HERV-Wfamily elements reactivated in testicular cancer upon methylation control", NUCLEIC ACIDS RES, vol. 38, no. 7, 2010, pages 2229 - 46, XP055055471, DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp1214 |
| HARAGUCHI, S.R.A. GOODN.K. DAY-GOOD: "A potent immunosuppressive retroviral peptide: cytokine patterns and signaling pathways", IMMUNOL RES, vol. 41, no. 1, 2008, pages 46 - 55, XP002591496, DOI: 10.1007/S12026-007-0039-6 |
| HASSET: "Optimization of Lipid Nanoparticles for Intramuscular Administration of mRNA Vaccines", MOL THER NUCLEIC ACIDS, vol. 15, 15 April 2019 (2019-04-15), pages 1 - 11 |
| JAKOBSSON JOHAN ET AL: "SnapShot: Human endogenous retroviruses", CELL, ELSEVIER, AMSTERDAM NL, vol. 185, no. 2, 20 January 2022 (2022-01-20), pages 400, XP086933413, ISSN: 0092-8674, [retrieved on 20220120], DOI: 10.1016/J.CELL.2021.12.028 * |
| JAKOBSSON, JOHANMICHELLE VINCENDEAU: "SnapShot: Human endogenous retroviruses", CELL, vol. 185, no. 2, 2022, pages 400 - 400, XP086933413, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.028 |
| KIEFT ET AL., RNA, vol. 7, no. 2, 2001, pages 194 - 206 |
| KOZAK, CELL, vol. 44, 1986, pages 283 - 292 |
| LANG, M.S. ET AL.: "Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies directed against the immunosuppressive domain ofplSE inhibits tumor growth", CLIN EXP IMMUNOL, vol. 102, no. 3, 1995, pages 468 - 75 |
| LEE YNBIENIASZ PD: "Reconstitution of an Infectious Human Endogenous Retrovirus", PLOS PATHOG, vol. 3, no. 1, 2007, pages 10 |
| LEONG, S.P. ET AL.: "Expression and modulation of a retrovirus-associated antigen by murine melanoma cells", CANCER RES, vol. 48, no. 17, 1988, pages 4954 - 8 |
| LEUNG ET AL.: "Microfluidic Mixing: A General Method for Encapsulating Macromolecules in Lipid Nanoparticle Systems", THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B, vol. 119, no. 28, 2015, pages 8698 - 8706, XP055551921, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b02891 |
| LI, M. ET AL.: "Sequence and insertion sites of murine melanoma-associated retrovirus", J VIROL, vol. 73, no. 11, 1999, pages 9178 - 86 |
| LIU X ET AL.: "Resurrection of endogenous retroviruses during aging reinforces senescence", CELL, vol. 186, no. 2, 19 January 2023 (2023-01-19), pages 287 - 304, XP087251274, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.017 |
| LIU XIAOQIAN ET AL: "Resurrection of endogenous retroviruses during aging reinforces senescence", CELL, ELSEVIER, AMSTERDAM NL, vol. 186, no. 2, 6 January 2023 (2023-01-06), pages 287, XP087251274, ISSN: 0092-8674, [retrieved on 20230106], DOI: 10.1016/J.CELL.2022.12.017 * |
| MACLACHLAN: "Liposomal formulations for nucleic acid delivery", ANTISENSE DRUG TECHNOLOGY, 2007, pages 255 - 288 |
| MANGENEY, M. ET AL.: "Endogenous retrovirus expression is required for murine melanoma tumor growth in vivo", CANCER RES, vol. 65, no. 7, 2005, pages 2588 - 91 |
| MANGENEY, M.T. HEIDMANN: "Tumor cells expressing a retroviral envelope escape immune rejection in vivo", PROC NATL ACAD SCI USA, vol. 95, no. 25, 1998, pages 14920 - 5, XP002298109, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.95.25.14920 |
| MENDEZ JMKEESTRA-GOUNDER AM: "NF- B-dependent Luciferase Activation and Quantification of Gene Expression in Salmonella Infected Tissue Culture Cells", J VIS EXP., 12 January 2020 (2020-01-12) |
| MOROZOV, V.A.V.L. DAO THIJ. DENNER: "The transmembrane protein of the human endogenous retrovirus-K (HERV-K) modulates cytokine release and gene expression", PLOS ONE, vol. 8, no. 8, 2013, pages 70399 |
| NEDDLEMANWUNSCH, J. MOL. BIOL., vol. 48, 1970, pages 44 3 |
| NELLAKER, C. ET AL.: "Transactivation of elements in the human endogenous retrovirus Wfamily by viral infection", RETROVIROLOGY, vol. 3, 2006, pages 44, XP021019154, DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-3-44 |
| PEARSONLIPMAN, PROC. NATL ACAD. SEI. USA, vol. 85, 1988, pages 2444 |
| RIPOLL ET AL.: "Optimal self-assembly of lipid nanoparticles (LNP) in a ring micromixer", SCI REP, vol. 12, 2022, pages 9483 |
| ROGERS ET AL., J BIOL CHEM, vol. 274, no. 10, 1999, pages 6421 - 6431 |
| SCHLECHT-LOUF, G. ET AL.: "Retroviral infection in vivo requires an immune escape virulence factor encrypted in the envelope protein of oncoretroviruses", PROC NATL ACAD SCI USA, vol. 107, no. 8, 2010, pages 3782 - 7, XP002675453, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0913122107 |
| SCHOENMAKER ET AL.: "mRNA-lipid nanoparticle COVID-19 vaccines: Structure and stability", INT J PHARM., vol. 601, 2021, pages 120586, XP055828800, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120586 |
| SCOTT ET AL., BIOCHIM BIOPHYS ACTA, vol. 1789, 2009, pages 634 - 641 |
| SELEZNEVA ET AL., J MOL BIOL, vol. 425, no. 18, 2013, pages 3301 - 3310 |
| SMITHWATERMAN, ADS APP. MATH., vol. 2, 1981, pages 482 |
| SUTKOWSKI, N. ET AL.: "Epstein-Barr virus transactivates the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K18 that encodes a superantigen", IMMUNITY, vol. 15, no. 4, 2001, pages 579 - 89, XP002909213, DOI: 10.1016/S1074-7613(01)00210-2 |
| TAHTINEN, S.TONG, AJ.HIMMELS, P ET AL.: "IL-1 and IL-Ira are key regulators of the inflammatory response to RNA vaccines", NAT IMMUNOL, vol. 23, 2022, pages 532 - 542, XP037798883, DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01160-y |
| VILLALBA ET AL., CURR OPIN GENET DEV, vol. 21, no. 4, 2011, pages 452 - 457 |
| WANG-JOHANNING, F. ET AL.: "Immunotherapeutic potential of anti-human endogenous retrovirus-K envelope protein antibodies in targeting breast tumors", J NATL CANCER INST, vol. 104, no. 3, 2012, pages 189 - 210, XP055119314, DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djr540 |
| YANG, J.CD. PERRY-LALLEY: "The envelope protein of an endogenous murine retrovirus is a tumor-associated T-cell antigen for multiple murine tumors", J IMMUNOTHER, vol. 23, no. 2, 2000, pages 177 - 83, XP055935450, DOI: 10.1097/00002371-200003000-00001 |
| ZLOTORYNSKI, E: "Younger endogenous retroviruses make us older", NAT REV MOL CELL BIOL, vol. 24, 2023, pages 165 |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2024256799A1 (en) | 2025-11-06 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US12263214B2 (en) | Vaccine for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease | |
| JP4580410B2 (en) | Expression vector capable of inducing improved immune response and method of using this vector | |
| EA027236B1 (en) | Immunogenic compositions and methods of using the compositions for inducing humoral and cellular immune responses | |
| JP2013540700A (en) | Methods and compositions for preventing disease | |
| AU2019361280B2 (en) | Teleost invariant chain cancer vaccine | |
| JP2023089103A (en) | Vaccine T cell enhancer | |
| US20230248818A1 (en) | Nucleoside-modified RNA for Inducing an Immune Response Against SARS-CoV-2 | |
| US20230256088A1 (en) | Immuno-oncology compositions and methods for use thereof | |
| JP2021061851A (en) | Cancer vaccines | |
| WO2024218400A1 (en) | Improved expression of surface-displayed antigens | |
| CN118695850A (en) | Universal influenza vaccine and how to use it | |
| WO2025003378A1 (en) | Chimeric vlp forming polypeptides comprising beta-retroviral gag | |
| WO2025002587A1 (en) | Chimeric vlp forming polypeptides comprising beta-retroviral gag | |
| RU2808567C2 (en) | Invariant chain cancer vaccine from teleost fish | |
| HK40118817A (en) | A vaccine for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease | |
| AU2023365338A1 (en) | Novel t cell activating immunotherapeutic for treatment of mucin 1 protein expressing human cancers | |
| HK40091626A (en) | Rna replicon vaccines against hbv | |
| HK1135023A (en) | Human endogenous retrovirus polypeptide compositions and methods of use thereof |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 24720224 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
| WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: AU2024256799 Country of ref document: AU |
|
| ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2024256799 Country of ref document: AU Date of ref document: 20240422 Kind code of ref document: A |
|
| WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: KR1020257038872 Country of ref document: KR |
|
| WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2024720224 Country of ref document: EP |
|
| ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2024720224 Country of ref document: EP Effective date: 20251121 |
|
| ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2024720224 Country of ref document: EP Effective date: 20251121 |
|
| ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2024720224 Country of ref document: EP Effective date: 20251121 |